Dopo l'orrore (aria from 'Ottone')

Handel's aria Dopo l'orrore, from his opera Ottone, opens with a sense of quiet relief after a storm. The solo alto line portrays a heart that has been tossed by turmoil, now finding calm and serenity. As the text suggests, after the horror of a troubled sky, a more beautiful day appears, just as peace returns to a heart that has been wronged. The music reflects this emotional journey, moving from agitation to a profound sense of stillness and regaining what was lost. This is a profoundly expressive Italian secular aria, showcasing Handel's gift for dramatic and emotional vocal writing.