Orlando the Italian form of Roland, a hero of the romances of Charlemagne. Orlando Furioso is a poem by Ariosto, published in its complete form in 1532, designed to exalt the house of Este and its legendary ancestor Rogero ( Ruggiero). It continues the story of the love of Orlando (Roland in the Charlemagne romances) for Angelica, princess of Cathay, begun in Orlando Innamorato, a poem by Boiardo, published in 1487.

Orlando.
1. Opera in 3 acts by Handel to anon. lib. based on C. S. Capece's L'Orlando (1711) after Ariosto's 16th-cent. poem Orlando furioso (Mad Orlando). Comp. 1732. Prod. London 1733.

2. Opera in 3 acts by Vivaldi (Orlando furioso) to lib. by Braccioli after Ariosto. Prod. Venice 1727.