Español | Français | Deutsch | Italiano | Português Milan and
the surrounding countryside, early 18th century. Bertarido, king
of Lombardy and Milan, has been attacked and deposed by
Grimoaldo, an ally of his estranged brother, Gundeberto.
Gundeberto was killed in the battle and Bertarido vanished,
leaving his queen, Rodelinda, and a young son, Flavio, in the
power of the victorious ally, Grimoaldo. As a reward for
defeating Bertarido, Grimoaldo was promised the hand of
Bertarido’s sister, Eduige—which would grant him a legitimate
claim to the throne at Milan. Eduige and Grimoaldo fell in love,
but she would not marry him while mourning two brothers—one
dead, one presumed so. From abroad Bertarido has sent word of
his own death, intending to return to Milan in disguise, rescue
his wife and son, and escape to an anonymous life far from the
vagaries of politics and the burden of government. The news of
his death has devastated both Rodelinda and Eduige. Grimoaldo,
intent on gaining the throne, weighs his option