Par HAENDEL GEORG FRIEDRICH. 'Rodrigo” was premiered in autumn 1707 in Florence and is therefore one of Handel's early stage works. The composer, only 22 years old, wrote a densely-woven musical scenario for his first opera composed in Italy . It masterfully portrays the dramatic states of mind of the protagonists surrounding the Iberian tyrant Rodrigo and the plot full of deception, betrayal , adultery, war as well as the transformation wrought by Rodrigo's abdication. The work was not, as was long thought, a commission from the Prince of Medici. Despite this, ' Rodrigo” seems to have been so popular that Handel extended his stay in Italy and was able to compose several operas during the following period. In ' Rodrigo” , the mastery which made Handel's succeeding opera ' Agrippina” such a success, is already clearly evident . ' Agrippina” consequently made Handel's name famous throughout Europe and soon led to his first journey to London . The new vocal score is based on Volume II/2 of the 'Halle Handel Edition” (BA 4083). The appendix contains the surviving variants in the versions of the first performances from Handel's lifetime./ Répertoire / Chant