Handel’s “Deidamia” was premièred on 10 January 1741 only a few weeks after “Imeneo”.
The librettist Paoli Rolli , a previously unsucessful librettist for Handel, delivered with his finest work “Deidamia”. On 10 February 1741 the third and final opera performances of this work took place under Handel’s direction. Oddly enough “Deidamia” would not be performed again until the beginning of the 20th century. This opera is based on the themes of humour and seriousness. The personal harmonising of Heroism (Achilles) and Love ( Deidamia ) build on the essential dramatic features of this work. “Deidamia” is the last great opera in a series of masterpieces: “Orlando”, “Poro”, “Ezio”, “Ariodante”, “Alcina”, “Serse” and “Imeneo”. The vocal score is based on the Urtext of the Halle Handel Editon.
