Ariodante

Princess Ginevra is blissfully happy in the luxury of the royal palace: she is in love with Ariodante and is about to marry him, with the blessing of her father, the King of Scotland. She bluntly rejects Polinesso, who has long been in love with her and covets the crown. In revenge, Polinesso seduces Ginevra’s younger sister, Dalinda, who loves him madly and spurns Ariodante’s brother, Lurcanio, for him.

Polinesso tells Ariodante that he is Ginevra’s lover. He proves it by appearing to join her in her room for the night, but in reality he is with Dalinda, who has put on Ginevra’s clothes at his request. Deceived by this subterfuge and in despair, Ariodante vows to take his own life, despite his brother’s attempts to reason with him. His disappearance and the rumour of his death plunge the royal family into shock. Lurcanio accuses Ginevra of having been caught with a lover and of being responsible for Ariodante’s suicide. Overcome by grief and disowned by her father, she feels her world begin to crumble.

Dalinda, who has been assaulted and threatened by Polinesso, discovers Ariodante alive. She confesses her part in Polinesso’s plot, revealing Ginevra’s innocence to him. Ginevra continues to proclaim her innocence to her father. With the aim of marrying Ginevra, Polinesso opportunely presents himself as her defender. He engages in a duel with Lurcanio, who mortally wounds him. Ariodante returns to clear Ginevra’s name and encourages his brother to marry Dalinda, who is pardoned by the King. Ginevra and Ariodante are reunited. They all have to face the consequences of these events.