Handel - Flavio “Bel contento“ Derek Lee Ragin

George Frideric Handel Flavio, re de’ Langobardi, HWV 16 “Bel contento“ Guido’s aria from Act I, Scene 4 Libretto: By Nicola Francesco Haym Completed score: 7 May 1723 First performance: 14 May 1723, London, King’s Theatre, Haymarket. (Duration: 156’) (8 performances to 15 June) Original cast from first performance: Flavio : Gaetano Berenstadt (alto-castrato) Guido : Francesco Bernardi, called “Senesino“ (alto-castrato) Emilia : Francesca Cuzzoni (soprano) Vitige : Margherita Durastanti (