G. F. Handel's Compositions
HWV 1-42
HWV 1: Almira or "Der in Kronen erlangte Glücks-Wechsel"
- Genre: Opera
- Libretto: By Friedrich Christian Feustking, after Giulio Pancieri (1691).
- Completed score: 1705
- First performance: 8 January 1705, Hamburg, Theater am Gänsemarkt. (Ran for 20
nights.)
- Notes: Handel's first opera.
- HG edition: 55
- HHA edition: II/1
HWV 2: Nero or "Die durch Blut und Mord erlangte Liebe"
- Genre: Opera
- Libretto: By Friedrich Christian Feustking.
- Completed score: 1705
- First performance: 25 February 1705, Hamburg, Theater am Gänsemarkt. (Only 3
performances.)
- Notes: Music lost.
HWV 3: Florindo or "Der beglückte Florindo"
- Genre: Opera
- Libretto: Hinrich Hinsch
- Completed score: ?1706
- First performance: January 1708, Hamburg, Theater am Gänsemarkt.
- Notes:
- Originally composed as a single opera ("Florindo und Daphne") combined with
"Daphne" (HWV 4) but divided before performances
- Music mainly lost.
- HHA edition: IV/19 (fragment)
HWV 4: Daphne or "Die verwandelte Daphne"
- Genre: Opera
- Libretto: By Hinrich Hinsch.
- Composed: ?1706
- First performance: January 1708, Hamburg, Theater am Gänsemarkt.
- Notes:
- Originally composed as single opera ("Florindo und Daphne") combined with
"Florindo" (HWV 3) but divided before performances
- Music mainly lost.
- HHA edition: IV/19 (fragment)
HWV 5: Rodrigo or "Vincer se stesso è la maggior vittoria"
- Genre: Opera
- Libretto: After Francesco Silvani, 1700
- Completed score: 1707
- First performance: Autumn 1707, Teatro Civico Accademico in the Via del Cocomero,
Florence
- Original cast from first performance:
- Rodrigo, King of Spain : Stefano Frilli (soprano-castrato)
- Esilena, his wife : Anna Maria Cecchi Torri, called "La Beccarina" (soprano)
- Giuliano, count of Ceuta : Francesco Guicciardi (tenor)
- Florinda, sister of Giuliano : Aurelia Marcello (soprano)
- Evanco, King of Aragon : Caterina Azzolini, called "La Valentina" (soprano)
- Fernando : Giuseppe Perini (alto-castrato)
- Notes: Handel's first Italian opera.
- HG edition: 56
- HHA edition: II/2
HWV 6: Agrippina
- Genre: Opera
- Libretto: Cardinal Vincenzo Grimani, owner of the S. Giovanni Grisostomo theatre.
- Completed score: 1709
- First performance: ?26 December 1709 or ?during Carnival 1710, Venice, Teatro San
Giovanni Grisostomo. (27 successive nights of performances)
- Original cast from first performance:
- Agrippina : Margherita Durastanti (soprano)
- Claudio : Antonio Francesco Carli (bass)
- Poppea : Diamante Maria Scarabelli (soprano)
- Ottone : Francesca Maria Vanini-Boschi (contralto)
- Nerone : Valeriano Pellegrini (soprano-castrato)
- Pallante : Giuseppe Maria Boschi (bass)
- Narciso : Giuliano Albertini (alto-castrato)
- Lesbo: Nicola Pasini (bass)
- Giunone: ? (contralto)
- Borrowings: Handel borrowed an aria from Johann Mattheson's "Porsenna"
(1702).
- HG edition: 57
- HHA edition: II/3
HWV 7a: Rinaldo; "first version"
- Genre: Opera
- Libretto: Giacomo Rossi/Aaron Hill, from T. Tasso, "La Gerusalemme
liberata."
- Completed score: 1711
- First performance: 24 February 1711, London, Queen's Theatre, Haymarket. (15
performances to 2 June)
- Original cast from first performance:
- Goffredo : Francesca Vanini-Boschi (contralto)
- Almirena : Isabella Girardeau (soprano)
- Rinaldo : Nicolo Grimaldi, called "Nicolini" (alto-castrato)
- Eustazio : Valentino Urbani, called "Valentini" (alto-castrato)
- Argante : Giuseppe Maria Boschi (bass)
- Armida : Elisabetta Pilotti-Schiavonetti, called "Pilotti" (soprano)
- Mago (Christian magician) : Giuseppe Cassani (alto-castrato)
- Aroldo (Herald) : Mr. Lawrence (tenor)
- Revival:
- 23 January 1712: London, Queen's Theatre, Haymarket (9 performances to 1 April)
- Cast from 1712 revival:
- Goffredo : Margherita de L'Epine (soprano)
- Almirena : Signora Manina (soprano)
- Rinaldo : Nicolo Grimaldi, called "Nicolini" (alto-castrato)
- Eustazio : Jane Barbier (contralto)
- Argante : Salomon Bendler (bass)
- Armida : Elisabetta Pilotti-Schiavonetti, called "Pilotti" (soprano)
- Mago (Christian magician) : ?
- Aroldo (Herald) : ?
- 6 May 1713: London, Queen's Theatre, Haymarket (also 9 May)
- Cast from 1713 revival:
- Goffredo : Margherita de L'Epine (soprano)
- Almirena : Signora Manina (soprano)
- Rinaldo : Jane Barbier (contralto)
- Eustazio : Valentino Urbani, called "Valentini" (alto-castrato)
- Argante : Richard Leveridge (bass)
- Armida : Elisabetta Pilotti-Schiavonetti, called "Pilotti" (soprano)
- Mago (Christian magician) : ?
- Aroldo (Herald) : ?
- 30 December 1714: London, King's Theatre, Haymarket (10 performances to 19 February;
also 25 June)
- Cast from 1714 revival:
- Goffredo : Caterina Galerati (soprano)
- Almirena : Anastasia Robinson (soprano)
- Rinaldo : Jane Barbier (contralto)
- Eustazio : role probably cut
- Argante : Angelo Zannoni (bass)
- Armida : Elisabetta Pilotti-Schiavonetti, called "Pilotti" (soprano)
- Mago (Christian magician) : ?
- Aroldo (Herald) : ?
- 5 January 1717: London, King's Theatre, Haymarket (7 performances to 9 March; also 2
May, 18 May, and 5 June).
- Cast from 1717 revival:
- Goffredo : Antonio Maria Bernacchi (alto-castrato)
- Almirena : Anastasia Robinson (soprano)
- Rinaldo : Nicolo Grimaldi, called "Nicolini" (alto-castrato)
- Eustazio : role cut
- Argante : Gaetano Berenstadt (alto-castrato)
- Armida : Elisabetta Pilotti-Schiavonetti, called "Pilotti" (soprano)
- Mago (Christian magician) : ?
- Aroldo (Herald) : ?
- 1731: London, King's Theatre, Haymarket (See HWV7b below.)
- Notes:
- Handel's first opera specially composed for London.
- It had more performances in London (53) than any of GFH's other operas during his
lifetime.
- HG edition: 58
- HHA edition: II/4
HWV 7b: Rinaldo; "second verson"
- Genre: Opera
- Completed score: 1731
- First performance: 6 April 1731: London, King's Theatre, Haymarket (6
performances to 1 May)
- Cast from 1731 revival:
- Goffredo : Annibale Pio Fabri, called "Balino" (tenor)
- Almirena : Anna Maria Strada del Pò (soprano)
- Rinaldo : Francesco Bernardi, called "Senesino" (alto-castrato)
- Eustazio : role cut
- Argante : Francesca Bertolli (contralto)
- Armida : Antonia Maria Merighi (contralto)
- Mago (Christian magician) : Giovanni Giuseppe Commano (bass)
- Aroldo (Herald) : ? (bass)
- Notes: Revival contained new accompanied recitative, 2 new symphonies and 6 arias
borrowed from other operas.
HWV 8a: Il pastor fido (translation: the faithful shepherd)
- Genre: Opera
- Libretto: By Giacomo Rossi, after Giovan Battista Guarini, 1585.
- Completed score: 24 October 1712
- First performance: 22 November 1712, London, Queen's Theatre, Haymarket. (6
performances to 27 December; also 21 February 1713.)
- Original cast from first performance:
- Mirtillo : Valeriano Pellegrini, called "Valeriano" (soprano-castrato)
- Amarilli : Elisabetta Pilotti-Schiavonetti, called "Pilotti" (soprano)
- Eurilla : Francesca Margherita de l'Épine, called "La Margherita" (soprano)
- Silvio : Valentino Urbani, called "Valentini" (alto-castrato)
- Dorinda : Jane Barbier (contralto)
- Tirenio : Richard Leveridge (bass)
- Revival: See HWV 8c below.
- Borrowings:
- The Allegro from the overture to Il pastor fido was rewritten and used as the
last movement in the Concerto Grosso Op 3 No 6 (HWV 317)
and in the Organ Concerto Op 7 No 4 (HWV 309).
- HG edition: 59, 84
- HHA edition: II/5, 31
HWV 8b: The ballet, Terpsicore (the prologue to "Il pastor fido")
- Genre: Dances
- Completed score: 1734
- First performance: 9 November 1734: London, Covent Garden Theatre
- HG edition: 84
- HHA edition: II/31
HWV 8c: Il pastor fido (revised version)
- Genre: Opera
- Revival:
- 18 May 1734: London, King's Theatre, Haymarket. Contained 2 new arias and borrowed
items. (13 performances to 6 July, the end of the opera season)
- Cast from 18 May 1734 revival:
- Mirtillo : Giovanni Carestini, called "Cusanino" (mezzo-soprano castrato)
- Amarilli : Anna Maria Strada del Pò (soprano)
- Eurilla : Margherita Durastanti (soprano)
- Silvio : Carlo Scalzi (soprano-castrato)
- Dorinda : Maria Caterina Negri (contralto)
- Tirenio : Gustavus Waltz (bass)
- 9 November 1734: London, Covent Garden Theatre; Performed with dances and preceded by the ballet, Terpsicore (HWV 8b) (5
performances to 23 November)
- Cast from 9 November 1734 revival:
- Mirtillo : Giovanni Carestini, called "Cusanino" (mezzo-soprano castrato)
- Amarilli : Anna Maria Strada del Pò (soprano)
- Eurilla : Maria Rosa Negri (contralto)
- Silvio : John Beard (tenor)
- Dorinda : Maria Caterina Negri (contralto)
- Tirenio : Gustavus Waltz (bass)
- Notes:
- Dances by Marie Sallé
- Performed with "Il pastor fido" at the Covent Garden Theater, London
- 18 May 1734 revival contained items from Parnasso in festa (HWV 73).
HWV 9: Teseo
- Genre: Opera
- Libretto: 5 acts; by Nicola Francesco Haym, after Philippe Quinault (1675)
- Completed score: 19 December 1712
- First performance: 10 January 1713: London, Queen's Theatre, Haymarket (10
performances to 17 February; also 17 March, 18 April, and 16 May)
- Original cast from first performance:
- Teseo : Valeriano Pellegrini, called "Valeriano" (soprano-castrato)
- Agilea : Francesca Margherita de l'Épine, called "La Margherita" (soprano)
- Medea : Elisabetta Pilotti-Schiavonetti, called "Pilotti" (soprano)
- Egeo : Valentino Urbani, called "Valentini" (alto-castrato)
- Clizia : Maria Gallia (soprano)
- Arcane : Jane Barbier (contralto)
- Priest of Minerva : Richard Leveridge (bass)
- Notes: On the 2nd performance night, the theater manager, Owen Swiney, fled to
Italy with the box office receipts. "Mr Swiny Brakes & runs away, & leaves ye
Singers unpaid ye Scenes & Habits also unpaid for. The Singers were in Some confusion
but at last concluded to go on with ye operas on their own accounts, & divide ye Gain
amongst them." Swiney was promptly replaced by the Swiss, John Jacob Heidegger.
- HG edition: 60
- HHA edition: II/6
HWV 10: Silla or Lucio Cornelio Silla
- Genre: Opera
- Libretto: Giacomo Rossi, from Plutarch (who refers to him as "Sulla")
- Completed score: Probably April--May 1713
- First performance: ?2 June 1713: ?London, Queen's Theatre, Haymarket or
Burlington House. Possibly not performed.
- Borrowings : Much of the music composed for Silla reappears in Amadigi
di Gaula (HWV 11).
- Notes : The libretto was dedicated to the Duke D'Aumont, appointed in
1712 as French Ambassador to Queen Anne's court.
- HG edition: 61
- HHA edition: II/7
HWV 11: Amadigi di Gaula
- Genre: Opera
- Libretto: ?By Nicola Haym (or Giacomo Rossi), after Antoine Houdar de la Motte,
1699
- Completed score: 1715
- First performance: 25 May 1715: London, King's Theatre, Haymarket (6 performances
to 15 July)
- Original cast from first performance:
- Amadigi : Nicolo Grimaldi called "Nicolini" (alto-castrato)
- Oriana : Anastasia Robinson (soprano)
- Melissa : Elisabetta Pilotti-Schiavonetti, called "Pilotti" (soprano)
- Dardano : Diana Vico (contralto)
- Orgando: (?) Caterina Galerati (soprano)
- Revival:
- 16 February 1716: London, King's Theatre, Haymarket (4 performances to 6 March; also 20
June and 12 July)
- Cast from 16 February 1716 revival: Same as 25 May 1725 original cast.
- 16 February 1717: London, King's Theatre, Haymarket (also 21 March, 11 April, 30 May)
- Cast from 16 February 1717 revival:
- Amadigi : Nicolo Grimaldi called "Nicolini" (alto-castrato)
- Oriana : Anastasia Robinson (soprano)
- Melissa : Elisabetta Pilotti-Schiavonetti, called "Pilotti" (soprano)
- Dardano : Antonio Maria Bernacchi (alto-castrato)
- Orgando: (?) Caterina Galerati (soprano)
- Notes:
- Dedicated to the Earl of Burlington.
- 21 March 1717 revival includes "a New Scene" for Nicolini and Anastasia
Robinson.
- HG edition: 62
- HHA edition: II/8
HWV 12a: Radamisto; "first version"
- Genre: Opera
- Libretto: ?By Nicola Haym or Matteo Noris, after Domenico Lalli (1710/12)
- Completed score: 1720
- First performance: 27 April 1720: London, King's Theatre, Haymarket (8
performances to 21 May; also 8, 22 June)
- Original cast from first performance:
- Radamisto : Margherita Durastanti (soprano)
- Zenobia : Anastasia Robinson (contralto)
- Farasmane : Signor Lagarde (bass)
- Tiridate : Alexander Gordon (tenor)
- Polissena : Ann Turner Robinson (soprano)
- Tigrane : Caterina Galerati (soprano)
- Fraarte : Benedetto Baldassari (soprano-castrato)
- Revival:
- 28 December 1720: London, King's Theatre, Haymarket (See HWV 12b
below.)
- Notes: First opera composed by Handel for the "Royal Academy of Music."
- HG edition: 63
- HHA edition: II/9
HWV 12b: Radamisto; "second version"
- Genre: Opera
- Libretto: ?By Nicola Haym or Matteo Noris, after Domenico Lalli (1710/12)
- Completed score: 1720
- First performance: 28 & 31 December 1720: London, King's Theatre, Haymarket
(5 performances from 4 January to 25 March, 1721)
- Cast form 28 December 1720 performance:
- Radamisto : Francesco Bernardi, called "Senesino" (alto-castrato)
- Zenobia : Margherita Durastanti (soprano)
- Farasmane : Signor Lagarde (bass)
- Tiridate : Giuseppe Maria Boschi (bass)
- Polissena : Maddalena Salvai (soprano)
- Tigrane : Matteo Berselli (soprano-castrato)
- Fraarte : Caterina Galerati (soprano)
- Revival:
- 25 November 1721: London, King's Theatre, Haymarket (4 performances to 6 December)
- Cast form 1721 revival:
- Radamisto : Francesco Bernardi, called "Senesino" (alto-castrato)
- Zenobia : Anastasia Robinson (contralto)
- Farasmane : Signor Lagarde (bass)
- Tiridate : Giuseppe Maria Boschi (bass)
- Polissena : Maddalena Salvai (soprano)
- Tigrane : Benedetto Baldassari (soprano-castrato)
- Fraarte: cut
- January 1728: London, King's Theatre, Haymarket (approximately 7 performances)
- Cast form 1728 revival:
- Radamisto : Francesco Bernardi, called "Senesino" (alto-castrato)
- Zenobia : Faustina Borodini (soprano)
- Farasmane : Giovanni Battista Palmerini (bass)
- Tiridate : Giuseppe Maria Boschi (bass)
- Polissena : Francesca Cuzzoni (soprano)
- Tigrane : Antonio Baldi (alto-castrato)
- Fraarte: cut
- Notes: The 28 December 1720 revival differed from the April 1720 premiere by
Handel's eliminating Fraarte's love for Zenobia, removing some music, composing 10 new
arias, a duet, and quartet.
HWV 13: Muzio Scevola - Act 3
- Genre: Opera
- Libretto: Paolo Antonio Rolli
- Completed score: 23 March 1721
- First performance: 15 April 1721: London, King's Theatre, Haymarket
- Original cast from first performance:
- Muzio Scevola : Francesco Bernardi, called "Senesino" (alto-castrato)
- Clelia : Margherita Durastanti (soprano)
- Orazio : Matteo Berselli (soprano-castrato)
- Fidalma : Maddalena Salvai (soprano)
- Lucio Tarquinio : Caterina Galerati (soprano)
- Irene : Anastasia Robinson (contralto)
- Porsena : Giuseppe Maria Boschi (bass)
- Revival: 27 October 1722: London, King's Theatre, Haymarket (5 performances to 13
November).
- Cast form 1722 revival:
- Muzio Scevola : Francesco Bernardi, called "Senesino" (alto-castrato)
- Clelia : Margherita Durastanti (soprano)
- Orazio : ? {possibly reduced to recitative)
- Fidalma : cut
- Lucio Tarquinio : ? (bass) -- possibly Signor Lagarde
- Irene : Anastasia Robinson (contralto)
- Porsena : Giuseppe Maria Boschi (bass)
- Borrowings: Handel used an aria from Johann Mattheson's "Porsenna"
(1702) in Act 3 of "Muzio Scevola."
- Notes: Act 1 composed by Filippo Amadei; Act 2 composed by Giovanni Bononcini
- HG edition: 64
- HHA edition: II/10
HWV 14: Floridante
- Genre: Opera
- Libretto: By Paolo Antonio Rolli, after Francesco Silvani, 1706
- Completed score: 28 November 1721
- First performance: 9 December 1721: London, King's Theatre, Haymarket (6 more
performances to 30 December; also 8 further preformances from 3 January to 26 May, 1722)
- Original cast from first performance:
- Floridante : Francesco Bernardi, called "Senesino" (alto-castrato)
- Oronte : Giuseppe Maria Boschi (bass)
- Timante : Benedetto Baldassari, called "Benedetti" (soprano-castrato)
- Rossane : Maddalena Salvai (soprano)
- Elmira : Anastasia Robinson (contralto)
- Coralbo: ? (bass)
- Revival:
- 4 December 1722: London, King's Theatre, Haymarket (7 performances to 26 December)
- Cast from 4 December 1722 revival:
- Floridante : Francesco Bernardi, called "Senesino" (alto-castrato)
- Oronte : Giuseppe Maria Boschi (bass)
- Timante : Gaetano Berenstadt (alto-castrato)
- Rossane : Margherita Durastanti (soprano)
- Elmira : Anastasia Robinson (contralto)
- Coralbo: ? (bass)
- 29 April 1727: London, King's Theatre, Haymarket (also 2 May)
- Cast from 29 April 1727 revival:
- Floridante : Francesco Bernardi, called "Senesino" (alto-castrato)
- Oronte : Giuseppe Maria Boschi (bass)
- Timante : Antonio Baldi (alto-castrato)
- Rossane : Faustina Borodini (soprano)
- Elmira : Anna Dotti (contralto)
- Coralbo: Giovanni Battista Palmerini (bass)
- 3 March 1733: London, King's Theatre, Haymarket (4 performances to 13 March; resumed 8
May for 3 additional performances to 19 May)
- Cast from 1733 revival (NOTE: The 1733 libretto did not include the cast names) :
- Floridante : Francesco Bernardi, called "Senesino" (alto-castrato)
- Oronte : Antonio Montagnana (bass)
- Timante : ?
- Rossane : ?
- Elmira : ?
- Coralbo: ?
- Borrowings: 4 December 1722 revival contained 3 new arias borrowed from Crudel
tiranno amor (HWV97).
- Notes: 4 December 1722 revival contained 5 new arias.
- HG edition: 65
- HHA edition: II/11
HWV 15: Ottone, re di Germania
- Genre: Opera
- Libretto: Nicola Francesco Haym, after Steffano Bendetto Pallavicino
- Completed score: 10 August 1722
- First performance: 12 January 1723: London, King's Theatre, Haymarket (11
performances to 16 February; also 26 March, and 4, 8 June)
- Original cast from first performance:
- Ottone : Francesco Bernardi, called "Senesino" (alto-castrato)
- Teofane : Francesca Cuzzoni (soprano)
- Emireno : Giuseppe Maria Boschi (bass)
- Gismonda : Margherita Durastanti (soprano)
- Adelberto : Gaetano Berenstadt (alto-castrato)
- Matilda : Anastasia Robinson (contralto)
- Revival:
- 11 December 1723: London, King's Theatre, Haymarket (6 performances to 1 January 1724)
- Cast from 1723 revival: Probably the same as the original cast.
- 8 February 1726: London, King's Theatre, Haymarket (9 performaces to 8 March)
- Cast from 1726 revival:
- Ottone : Francesco Bernardi, called "Senesino" (alto-castrato)
- Teofane : Francesca Cuzzoni (soprano)
- Emireno : Giuseppe Maria Boschi (bass)
- Gismonda : Anna Dotti (contralto)
- Adelberto : Antonio Baldi (alto-castrato)
- Matilda : Livia Constantini (soprano)
- 11 April 1727: London, King's Theatre, Haymarket (also 13 April)
- 13 November 1733: London, King's Theatre, Haymarket (4 performances to 24 November)
- Cast from 1733 revival:
- Ottone : Giovanni Carestini, called "Cusanino" (alto-castrato)
- Teofane : Anna Maria Strada del Pò (soprano)
- Emireno : Gustavus Waltz (bass)
- Gismonda : Margherita Durastanti (soprano)
- Adelberto : Carlo Scalzi (soprano-castrato)
- Matilda : Maria Caterina Negri (contralto)
- 10 December 1734: London, King's Theatre, Haymarket (5 performances to 23 December)
- Cast from 1734 revival:
- Ottone : Francesco Bernardi, called "Senesino" (alto-castrato)
- Teofane : Francesca Cuzzoni (soprano)
- Emireno : Alessandro Montagnana (bass)
- Gismonda : Maria Segatti (soprano)
- Adelberto : Carlo Broschi, called "Farinelli" (soprano-castrato)
- Matilda : Francesca Bertolli (contralto)
- Notes:
- 26 March 1723 performance (performed for Cuzzoni's benefit) included 4 new arias.
- 8 February 1726 revival contained 5 new arias.
- 10 December 1734 revival performed at the King's Theatre by the "Opera of the
Nobility" with Farinelli in the role of Adelberto -- this represents the only Handel
opera produced by the "Opera of the Nobility." Farinelli sang seven arias;
however, not one belonged to the part -- 5 of the arias came from other Handel operas
(i.e., Riccardo Primo, Lotario, and Partenope).
- HG edition: 66
- HHA edition: II/12
HWV 16: Flavio, re de' Langobardi
- Genre: Opera
- Libretto: By Nicola Francesco Haym after Matteo Noris, 1682, and ?Stampiglia,
1696.
- 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 (soprano)
- Teodata : Anastasia Robinson (contralto)
- Lotario : Giuseppe Maria Boschi (bass)
- Ugone : Alexander Gordon (tenor)
- Revival: 18 April 1732: London, King's Theatre, Haymarket (4 performances to 29
April)
- Cast from 1732 revival:
- Flavio : Antonio Gualandi, called "Campioli" (alto-castrato)
- Guido : Francesco Bernardi, called "Senesino" (alto-castrato)
- Emilia : Anna Maria Strada del Pò (soprano)
- Vitige : Anna Bagnolesi (contralto)
- Teodata : Francesca Bertolli (contralto)
- Lotario : Giovanni Battista Pinacci (tenor)
- Ugone : Alessandro Montagnana (bass)
- HG edition: 67
- HHA edition: II/13
HWV 17: Giulio Cesare in Egitto
- Genre: Opera
- Libretto: By Nicola Francesco Haym, after Giacamo Francesco Bussani, 1677/85
- Completed score: 1724
- First performance: 20 February 1724: London, King's Theatre, Haymarket (13
performances to 11 April)
- Original cast from first performance:
- Cleopatra : Francesca Cuzzoni (soprano)
- Sesto : Margherita Durastanti (soprano)
- Giulio Cesare : Francesco Bernardi, called "Senesino" (alto-castrato)
- Tolomeo : Gaetano Berenstadt (alto-castrato)
- Nireno : Signor Bigonzi (alto-castrato)
- Cornelia : Anastasia Robinson (contralto)
- Achilla : Giuseppe Maria Boschi (baritone)
- Curio : Mr. Lagarde (bass)
- Revival:
- 2 January 1725: London, King's Theatre, Haymarket (10 performances to 9 February) --
included 4 new arias.
- Cast from 1725 revival:
- Cleopatra: Francesca Cuzzoni (soprano)
- Sesto: Francesco Borosini (tenor)
- Giulio Cesare: Francesco Bernardi, called "Senesino" (alto-castrato)
- Tolomeo: Andrea Pacini (alto-castrato)
- Cornelia: Anna Dotti (contralto)
- Achilla: Giuseppe Maria Boschi (baritone)
- 17 January 1730: London, King's Theatre, Haymarket (9 performances to 21 February; also
21, 31 March) -- included 2 new arias for Strada.
- Cast from 1730 revival:
- Cleopatra: Anna Maria Strada del Pò (soprano)
- Sesto: Annibale Pio Fabri, called "Balino" (tenor)
- Giulio Cesare: Antonio Maria Bernacchi (alto-castrato)
- Tolomeo: Francesca Bertolli (contralto)
- Cornelia: Antonia Maria Merighi (contralto)
- Achilla: Johann Gottfried Riemschneider (bass)
- 1 February 1732: London, King's Theatre, Haymarket (4 performances to 12 February)
- Cast from 1732 revival:
- Cleopatra: Anna Maria Strada del Pò (soprano)
- Sesto: Giovanni Battista Pinacci (tenor)
- Giulio Cesare: Francesco Bernardi, called "Senesino" (alto-castrato)
- Tolomeo: Francesca Bertolli (contralto)
- Cornelia: Anna Bagnolesi (contralto)
- Achilla: Antonio Montagnana (bass)
- Notes:
- Revived for a total of 38 performances.
- It received a like number of performances at Hamburg between 1725 and 1737 and others in
Paris and Brunswick.
- Oskar Hagen revived it in 1922 at Göttingen.
- HG edition: 68
- HHA edition: II/14
HWV 18: Tamerlano
- Genre: Opera
- Libretto: By Nicola Haym, after C. Agostino Piovene, 1711/19, from J.N. Pardon
- Composed: 3-23 July 1724
- First performance: 31 October 1724: London, King's Theatre, Haymarket (9
performances to 28 November)
- Original cast from first performance:
- Tamerlano : Andrea Pacini (alto-castrato)
- Bajazet : Francesco Borosini (tenor)
- Asteria : Francesca Cuzzoni (soprano)
- Andronico : Francesco Bernardi, called "Senesino" (alto-castrato)
- Irene : Anna Dotti (contralto)
- Leone : Giuseppe Maria Boschi (bass)
- Revival:
- 1 May 1725: London, King's Theatre, Haymarket (3 performances to 8 May)
- 13 November: 1731: London, King's Theatre, Haymarket (3 performances to 20 November)
- Cast from 1731 revival:
- Tamerlano : Antonio Gualandi, called "Campioli" (alto-castrato)
- Bajazet : Giovanni Battista Pinacci (tenor)
- Asteria : Anna Maria Strada del Pò (soprano)
- Andronico : Francesco Bernardi, called "Senesino" (alto-castrato)
- Irene : Francesca Bertolli (contralto)
- Leone : Antonio Montagnana (bass)
- Notes:
- Score substantially revised between 24 July 1724 completion date and first performance.
- 13 November 1731 revival included new aria for Montagnana.
- HG edition: 69
- HHA edition: II/15
HWV 19: Rodelinda, regina de' Langobardi
- Genre: Opera
- Libretto: By Nicola Haym, after Antonio Salvi, 1710, from Pierre Corneille's
"Pertharite, roi des Lombards" (1652)
- Completed score: 20 January 1725
- First performance: 13 February 1725: London, King's Theatre, Haymarket (14
performances to 6 April)
- Original cast from first performance:
- Rodelinda : Francesca Cuzzoni (soprano)
- Bertarido : Francesco Bernardi, called "Senesino" (alto-castrato)
- Grimoaldo : Francesco Borosini (tenor)
- Eduige : Anna Vicenza Dotti (contralto)
- Unulfo : Andrea Pacini (alto-castrato)
- Garibaldo : Giuseppe Maria Boschi (bass)
- Revival:
- 18 December 1725: London, King's Theatre, Haymarket (8 performances to 11 January 1726)
- Cast from 1725 revival:
- Rodelinda : Francesca Cuzzoni (soprano)
- Bertarido : Francesco Bernardi, called "Senesino" (alto-castrato)
- Grimoaldo : Luigi Antinori (tenor)
- Eduige : Anna Dotti (alto)
- Unulfo : Antonio Baldi (alto-castrato)
- Garibaldo : Giuseppe Maria Boschi (bass)
- 4 May 1731: London, King's Theatre, Haymarket (8 performances to 29 May)
- Cast from 1731 revival:
- Rodelinda : Anna Maria Strada del Pò (soprano)
- Bertarido : Francesco Bernardi, called "Senesino" (alto-castrato)
- Grimoaldo : Annibale Pio Fabri, called "Balino" (tenor)
- Eduige : Antonia Maria Merighi (contralto)
- Unulfo : Francesca Bertolli (contralto)
- Garibaldo : Giovanni Giuseppe Commano (bass)
- Borrowings: 4 May 1731 revival contained 4 items from other operas.
- Notes: 18 December 1725 revival included 4 new arias and new duet.
- HG edition: 70
- HHA edition: II/16
HWV 20: Scipione or Publio Cornelio Scipione
- Genre: Opera
- Libretto: By Paolo Antonio Rolli, after Antonio Salvi, 1704
- Completed score: 2 March 1726
- First performance: 12 March 1726: London, King's Theatre, Haymarket (13
performances to 30 April)
- Original cast from first performance:
- Scipio : Antonio Baldi (alto-castrato)
- Lucejo : Francesco Bernardi, called "Senesino" (alto-castrato)
- Berenice : Francesca Cuzzoni (soprano)
- Lelio : Luigi Antinori (tenor)
- Ernando : Giuseppe Maria Boschi (bass)
- Armira : Livia Costantini, called "La Polacchina" (soprano)
- Revival: 3 November 1730: London, King's Theatre, Haymarket (6 performances to 21
November)
- Cast from 1730 revival:
- Scipio : Annibale Pio Fabri, called "Balino" (tenor)
- Lucejo : Francesco Bernardi, called "Senesino" (alto-castrato)
- Berenice : Anna Maria Strada del Pò (soprano)
- Lelio : Francesca Bertolli (contralto)
- Ernando : Giovanni Giuseppe Commano (bass)
- Armira : Antonia Maria Merighi (soprano)
- Borrowings: 3 November 1730 revival included 12 additions from other operas.
- Notes: 3 November 1730 revival included 2 new arias for Fabri.
- HG edition: 71
- HHA edition: II/17
HWV 21: Alessandro
- Genre: Opera
- Libretto: By Paolo Antonio Rolli, after Ortensio Mauro, 1690
- Completed score: 11 April 1726
- First performance: 5 May 1726: London, King's Theatre, Haymarket (13 performances
to 7 June)
- Original cast from first performance:
- Alessandro : Francesco Bernardi, called "Senesino" (alto-castrato)
- Rossane : Faustina Bordoni (soprano)
- Lisaura : Francesca Cuzzoni (soprano)
- Tassile : Antonio Baldi (alto-castrato)
- Clito : Giuseppe Maria Boschi (bass)
- Leonato : Luigi Antinori (tenor)
- Cleone : Anna Dotti (contralto)
- Revival:
- 30 December 1727: London, King's Theatre, Haymarket (at least 4 performances)
- Cast from 1727 revival:
- Alessandro : Francesco Bernardi, called "Senesino" (alto-castrato)
- Rossane : Faustina Bordoni (soprano)
- Lisaura : Francesca Cuzzoni (soprano)
- Tassile : Antonio Baldi (alto-castrato)
- Clito : Giuseppe Maria Boschi (bass)
- Leonato : cut ?
- Cleone : cut ?
- 25 November 1732: London, King's Theatre, Haymarket (6 performances to 30 December)
- Cast from 1732 revival:
- Alessandro : Francesco Bernardi, called "Senesino" (alto-castrato)
- Rossane : Anna Maria Strada del Pò (soprano)
- Lisaura : Celeste Giamondi (soprano)
- Tassile : Francesca Bertolli (contralto)
- Clito : Antonio Montagnana (bass)
- Leonato : cut
- Cleone : cut
- Notes: The "Middlesex" opera company (named after Lord Middlesex)
presented "Rossane" -- arranged by
Lampugnani from Alessandro (HWV 21).
- HG edition: 72
- HHA edition: II/18
HWV 22: Admeto, re di Tessaglia
- Genre: Opera
- Libretto: By ?, After Aurelio Aureli, 1660, and Ortensio Mauro, 1679
- Completed score: 10 November 1726
- First performance: 31 January 1727: London, King's Theatre, Haymarket (19
performances to 18 April)
- Original cast from first performance:
- Admeto : Francesco Bernardi, called "Senesino" (alto-castrato)
- Alceste : Faustina Bordoni (soprano)
- Antigona : Francesca Cuzzoni (soprano)
- Ercole : Giuseppe Maria Boschi (bass)
- Orindo : Anna Dotti (contralto)
- Trasimede : Antonio Baldi (alto-castrato)
- Meraspe : Giovanni Battista Palmerini (bass)
- Revival:
- 30 September 1727: London, King's Theatre, Haymarket (5 performances to 17 October; also
4 November)
- 25 May 1728: London, King's Theatre, Haymarket -- contains new aria for Mrs. Wright as
Orinda [sex of role changed--premiere had Orindo]. (3 performances to 1 June)
- 7 December 1731: London, King's Theatre, Haymarket -- includes 3 new arias. The role of
Orindo/Orinda was cut in the 1731 revival. (6 performances to 11 January 1732)
- Cast from 1731 revival:
- Admeto : Francesco Bernardi, called "Senesino" (alto-castrato)
- Alceste : Anna Bagnolesi (contralto)
- Antigona : Anna Strada del Pò (soprano)
- Ercole : Giovanni Battista Pinacci (tenor)
- Trasimede : Antonio Gualandi called Campioli (alto-castrato)
- Meraspe : Antonio Montagnana (bass)
- 12 March, 1754: (altered version) London, King's Theatre, Haymarket -- the role of
Orindo/Orinda remained cut. (Further performances: 16, 19, 23 March, 6 April)
- Cast from 1754 revival:
- Admeto : Signor Serafini (alto-castrato)
- Alceste : Caterina Visconti (soprano)
- Antigona : Giulia Frasi (soprano)
- Ercole : Ottavio Albuzio
- Trasimede : Christina Passerini (soprano)
- Meraspe : Signor Ranieri (bass)
- Notes:
- Autograph lost.
- A libretto for the 1754 production published by G. Woodfall survives in the National
Library of Scotland in Edinborough.
- 7 March 1727 performance (for Faustina's benefit) includes new arias.
- 6 April, 1754: The last stage performance of any Handel opera until the 20th century.
- HG edition: 73
- HHA edition: II/19
HWV 23: Riccardo Primo, re d'Inghilterra
- Genre: Opera
- Libretto: By Paolo Antonio Rolli, after Francesco Briani, 1710
- Completed score: 16 May 1727
- First performance: 11 November 1727: London, King's Theatre, Haymarket (11
performances to 16 December)
- Original cast from first performance:
- Riccardo I : Francesco Bernardi, called "Senesino" (alto-castrato)
- Costanza : Francesca Cuzzoni (soprano)
- Pulcheria : Faustina Bordoni (soprano)
- Oronte : Antonio Baldi (alto-castrato)
- Berardo : Giovanni Battista Palmerini (bass)
- Isacio : Giuseppe Maria Boschi (bass)
- Notes:
- Originally, the part of the Bohemian prince Corrado (an ally of Richard I) was slated
for the contralto Anna Dotti. However, due to a postponement of the opera until the next
season, the role of Corrado had to be removed as Dotti was no longer a member of the opera
company.
- HG edition: 74
- HHA edition: II/20
HWV 24: Siroe, re di Persia
- Genre: Opera
- Libretto: By Nicola Haym, after Pietro Metastasio, 1726
- Completed score: 5 February 1728
- First performance: 17 February 1728: London, King's Theatre, Haymarket (18
performances to 27 April)
- Original cast from first performance:
- Siroe : Francesco Bernardi, called "Senesino" (alto-castrato)
- Emira : Faustina Bordoni (soprano)
- Laodice : Francesca Cuzzoni (soprano)
- Medarse : Antonio Baldi (alto-castrato)
- Cosroe : Giuseppe Maria Boschi (bass)
- Arasse : Giovanni Battista Palmerini (bass)
- HG edition: 75
- HHA edition: II/21
HWV 25: Tolomeo, re d'Egitto
- Genre: Opera
- Libretto: By Nicola Francesco Haym, after Carlo Sigismondo Capece, 1711
- Completed score: 19 April 1728
- First performance: 30 April 1728: London, King's Theatre, Haymarket (7
performances to 21 May)
- Original cast of first performance:
- Tolomeo : Francesco Bernardi, called "Senesino" (alto-castrato)
- Seleuce : Francesca Cuzzoni (soprano)
- Elisa : Faustina Bordoni (soprano)
- Alessandro : Antonio Baldi (alto-castrato)
- Araspe : Giuseppe Maria Boschi (bass)
- Revival:
- 19 May 1730: London, King's Theatre, Haymarket (7 performances to 13 June)
- 2 January 1733: London, King's Theatre, Haymarket (4 performances to 16 January]
- HG edition: 76
- HHA edition: II/22
HWV 26: Lotario
- Genre: Opera
- Libretto: Giacomo Rossi, After Antonio Salvi, 1722/9
- Completed score: 16 November 1729
- First performance: 2 December 1729: London, King's Theatre, Haymarket (9
performances to 13 February 1730)
- Original cast from first performance:
- Adelaide : Anna Maria Strada del Pò (soprano)
- Lotario : Antonio Maria Bernacchi (alto-castrato)
- Berengario : Annibale Pio Fabri, called "Balino" (tenor)
- Matilde : Antonia Maria Merighi (contralto)
- Idelberto : Francesca Bertolli (contralto)
- Clodomiro : Johann Gottfried Riemschneider (bass)
- HG edition: 77
- HHA edition: II/23
HWV 27: Partenope
- Genre: Opera
- Libretto: After Silvio Stampiglia, 1699/1708
- Completed score: 12 February 1730
- First performance: 24 February 1730: London, King's Theatre, Haymarket (7
performances to 10 March)
- Original cast from first performance:
- Partenope : Anna Maria Strada del Pò (soprano)
- Arsace : Antonio Maria Bernacchi (alto-castrato)
- Rosmira : Antonia Maria Merighi (contralto)
- Armindo : Francesca Bertolli (contralto)
- Emilio : Annibale Pio Fabri, called "Balino" (tenor)
- Ormonte : Johann Gottfried Riemschneider (bass)
- Revival:
- 12 December 1730: London, King's Theatre, Haymarket (7 performances to 9 January 1731)
- 29 January 1737: London, Covent Garden Theatre (4 performances to 9 February)
- Cast from 1737 revival:
- Partenope : Anna Maria Strada del Pò (soprano)
- Arsace : Antonio Maria Bernacchi (alto-castrato)
- Rosmira : Antonia Maria Merighi (contralto)
- Armindo : Gioacchino Conti, called "Gizziello" (soprano-castrato)
- Emilio : John Beard (tenor)
- Ormonte : Maria Caterina Negri (contralto)
- Notes: 12 December 1730 revival contained new aria for Senesino.
- HG edition: 78
- HHA edition: II/24
HWV 28: Poro, re dell'Indie
- Genre: Opera
- Libretto: ?; After Pietro Metastasio, 1729
- Completed score: 16 January 1731
- First performance: 2 February 1731: London, King's Theatre, Haymarket (14
performances to 27 March)
- Original cast from first performance:
- Poro : Francesco Bernardi, called "Senesino" (alto-castrato)
- Cleofide : Anna Maria Strada del Pò (soprano)
- Erissena : Antonia Maria Merighi (contralto)
- Gandarte : Francesca Bertolli (contralto)
- Alessandro : Annibale Pio Fabri, called "Balino" (tenor)
- Timagene : Giovanni Giuseppe Commano (bass)
- Revival:
- 23 November 1731: London, King's Theatre, Haymarket (4 performances to 4 December)
- Cast from 1731 revival:
- Poro : Francesco Bernardi, called "Senesino" (alto-castrato)
- Cleofide : Anna Maria Strada del Pò (soprano)
- Erissena : Antonia Maria Merighi (contralto)
- Gandarte : Antonio Gualandi, called "Campioli" (alto-castrato)
- Alessandro : Giovanni Battista Pinacci (tenor)
- Timagene : Antonio Montagnana (bass)
- 8 December 1736: London, Covent Garden Theatre (4 performances to 5 January 1737)
- Notes: 23 November 1731 revival contained 3 additional arias from other operas.
- HG edition: 79
- HHA edition: II/25
HWV 29: Ezio
- Genre: Opera
- Libretto: ?; After Pietro Metastasio, 1729
- First performance: 15 January 1732: London, King's Theatre, Haymarket (5
performances to 29 January)
- Original cast from first performance:
- Ezio : Francesco Bernardi, called "Senesino" (alto-castrato)
- Fulvia : Anna Maria Strada del Pò (soprano)
- Valentiniano : Anna Bagnolesi (contralto)
- Onoria : Francesca Bertolli (contralto)
- Massimo : Giovanni Battista Pinacci (tenor)
- Varo : Antonio Montagnana (bass)
- Completed score: 1732
- HG edition: 80
- HHA edition: II/26
HWV 30: Sosarme, re di Media
- Genre: Opera
- Libretto: ?; After Antonio Salvi, 1707
- Completed score: 4 February 1732
- First performance: 15 February 1732: London, King's Theatre, Haymarket (11
performances to 21 March)
- Original cast from first performance:
- Sosarme : Francesco Bernardi, called "Senesino" (alto-castrato)
- Haliate : Giovanni Battista Pinacci (tenor)
- Elmira : Anna Maria Strada del Pò (soprano)
- Erenice : Anna Bagnolesi (contralto)
- Argone : Antonio Gualandi, called "Campioli" (alto-castrato)
- Melo : Francesca Bertolli (contralto)
- Altomaro : Antonio Montagnana (bass)
- Revival: 27 April 1734: London, King's Theatre, Haymarket (3 performances to 4
May)
- Cast from 1734 revival:
- Sosarme : Giovanni Carestini, called "Cusanino" (mezzo-soprano castrato)
- Haliate : Margherita Durastanti (soprano)
- Elmira : Anna Strada del Pò (soprano)
- Erenice : Maria Caterina Negri (contralto)
- Argone : Carlo Scalzi (soprano-castrato)
- Melo : Maria Rosa Negri (contralto)
- Altomaro : Gustavus Waltz (bass)
- HG edition: 81
- HHA edition: II/27
HWV 31: Orlando
- Genre: Opera
- Libretto: ?; After Carlo Sigismondo Capece, 1711, from L. Ariosto, Orlando
furioso, 1532.
- Completed score: 20 November 1732
- First performance: 27 January 1733: London, King's Theatre, Haymarket (6
performances to 20 February; resumed 21 April for 4 more performances to 5 May)
- Original cast from first performance:
- Orlando : Francesco Bernardi, called "Senesino" (alto-castrato)
- Angelica : Anna Maria Strada del Pò (soprano)
- Medoro : Francesca Bertolli (contralto)
- Dorinda : Celeste Gismondi (soprano)
- Zoroastro : Antonio Montagnana (bass)
- HG edition: 82
- HHA edition: II/28
HWV 32: Arianna in Creta
- Genre: Opera
- Libretto: ?; After Pietro Pariati, 1721/9
- Completed score: 5 October 1733
- First performance: 26 January 1734: London, King's Theatre, Haymarket (14
performances to 12 March; also 16 & 20 April)
- Original cast from first performance:
- Arianna : Anna Maria Strada del Pò (soprano)
- Teseo : Giovanni Carestini, called "Cusanino" (alto-castrato)
- Carilda : Maria Caterina Negri (contralto)
- Alceste : Carlo Scalzi (soprano-castrato)
- Tauride : Margherita Durastanti (soprano)
- Minos : Gustavus Waltz (bass)
- Revival: 27 November 1734: London, Covent Garden Theatre (5 performances to 11
December)
- Notes: 27 November 1734 revival included new dances.
- HG edition: 83
- HHA edition: II/29
HWV 33: Ariodante
- Genre: Opera
- Libretto: ?; After Antonio Salvi's 1708 "Ginerva principessa di
Scozia"; from Ludovico Ariosto's, Orlando furioso
- Composed: 12 August-24 October 1734
- First performance: 8 January 1735: London, Covent Garden Theatre (11 performances
to 3 March)
- Original cast from first performance:
- Il Re di Scozia (King of Scotland) : Gustavus Waltz (bass)
- Ginevra : Anna Maria Strada del Pò (soprano)
- Ariodante : Giovanni Carestini, called "Cusanino" (mezzosoprano-castrato)
- Lurcanio : John Beard (tenor)
- Dalinda : Cecilia Young (later Mrs. Arne) (soprano)
- Polinesso : Maria Caterina Negri (contralto)
- Odoardo : Mr Stoppelaer (tenor)
- Revival: 5 May 1736: London, Covent Garden Theatre
- HG edition: 85
- HHA edition: II/32
HWV 34: Alcina
- Genre: Opera
- Libretto: After Riccardo Broschi's L'Isola d'Alcina, 1728, from Ludovico
Ariosto's, Orlando furioso.
- Completed score: 8 April 1735
- First performance: 16 April 1735: London, Covent Garden Theatre (18 performances
to 2 July, end of the season)
- Original cast from first performance:
- Alcina : Anna Maria Strada del Pò (soprano)
- Morgana : Cecilia Young (later Mrs Arne) (soprano)
- Ruggiero : Giovanni Carestini, called "Cusanino" (mezzosoprano-castrato)
- Bradamante : Maria Caterina Negri (contralto)
- Oronte : John Beard (tenor)
- Melisso : Gustavus Waltz (bass)
- Oberto : Mr. William Savage (boy soprano)
- Revival:
- 6 November 1736: London, Covent Garden Theatre (3 performances to 1737)
- 10 & 21 June 1737: London, Covent Garden Theatre
- Cast from 1736-7 revivals:
- Alcina : Anna Strada del Pò (soprano)
- Morgana : Maria Rosa Negri (contralto)
- Ruggiero : Gioacchino Conti, called "Gizziello" (soprano-castrato)
- Bradamante : Maria Caterina Negri (contralto)
- Oronte : John Beard (tenor)
- Melisso : Gustavus Waltz (bass)
- Oberto : Mr. William Savage (boy soprano)
- HG edition: 86
- HHA edition: II/33
HWV 35: Atalanta
- Genre: Opera
- Libretto: ?; After Belisario Valeriani, 1715
- Composed: 1-22 April 1736
- First performance: 12 May 1736: London, Covent Garden Theatre (8 performances to
9 June)
- Original cast from first performance:
- Atalanta : Anna Maria Strada del Pò (soprano)
- Meleagro : Gioacchino Conti, called "Gizziello" (soprano-castrato)
- Irene : Maria Caterina Negri (contralto)
- Aminata : John Beard (tenor)
- Nicandro : Gustavus Waltz (bass)
- Mercurio : Henry Theodore Reinhold (bass)
- Revival: 20 & 27 November 1736: London, Covent Garden Theatre
- HG edition: 87
- HHA edition: II/34
HWV 36: Arminio
- Genre: Opera
- Libretto: ?; After Antonio Salvi, 1703, from de Campistron, 1684
- Composed: 15 September - 14 October 1736
- First performance: 12 January 1737: London, Covent Garden Theatre (5 performances
to 26 January; also 12 February)
- Original cast from first performance:
- Arminio : Domenico Annibali (alto-castrato)
- Tusnelda : Anna Maria Strada del Pò (soprano)
- Sigismondo : Gioacchino Conti, called "Gizziello" (soprano-castrato)
- Ramise : Francesca Bertolli (contralto)
- Segeste : Henry Theodore Reinhold (bass)
- Varo : John Beard (tenor)
- Tullio : Maria Caterina Negri (contralto)
- HG edition: 89
- HHA edition: II/35
HWV 37: Giustino
- Genre: Opera
- Libretto: ?; After Niccolo Beregan/Piandro Pariati, 1724
- Composed: 14 August - 20 October 1736
- First performance: 16 February 1737: London, Covent Garden Theatre (6
performances to 4 March; also 4, 11 May, 10 June)
- Original cast from first performance:
- Anastasio : Gioacchino Conti, called "Gizziello" (soprano-castrato)
- Arianna : Anna Maria Strada del Pò (soprano)
- Giustino : Domenico Annibali (alto-castrato)
- Leocasta : Francesca Bertolli (contralto)
- Amanzio : Maria Caterina Negri (contralto)
- Vitaliano : John Beard (tenor)
- Polidarte : Henry Theodore Reinhold (bass)
- La Fortuna : William Savage (boy soprano)
- HG edition: 88
- HHA edition: II/36
HWV 38: Berenice, regina d'Egitto
- Genre: Opera
- Libretto: ?; After Antonio Salvi, 1709
- Composed: 18 December 1736 - 27 January 1737
- First performance: 18 May 1737: London, Covent Garden Theatre (3 performances to
25 May; also 15 June)
- Original cast from first performance:
- Berenice: Anna Maria Strada del Pò (soprano)
- Selene : Francesca Bertolli (contralto)
- Alessandro : Gioacchino Conti, called "Gizziello" (soprano-castrato)
- Demetrio : Domenico Annibali (alto-castrato)
- Arsace : Maria Caterina Negri (contralto)
- Fabio : John Beard (tenor)
- Aristobolo : Henry Theodore Reinhold (bass)
- HG edition: 90
- HHA edition: II/37
HWV 39: Faramondo
- Genre: Opera
- Libretto: ?; After Apostolo Zeno, 1720
- Composed: 15 November - 24 December 1737
- First performance: 3 January 1738: London, King's Theare, Haymarket (7
performances to 24 January; also 16 May)
- Original cast from first performance:
- Faramondo : Gaetano Majorano, called "Caffarelli" (soprano-castrato)
- Clotilde : Elisabeth Duparc, called "La Francesina" (soprano)
- Rosimonda : Maria Antonia Marchesini, called "La Lucchesina" (alto)
- Gustavo : Antonio Montagnana (bass)
- Adolfo : Margherita Chimenti, called "La Droghierina" (soprano)
- Gernando : Antonia Maria Merighi (contralto)
- Teobaldo : Antonio Lottini (bass)
- Childerico : William Savage (boy soprano)
- HG edition: 91
- HHA edition: II/38
HWV 40: Serse ("Xerxes")
- Genre: Opera
- Libretto: ?; After Silvio Stampiglia, 1694, from Niccolo Minato, 1654
- Composed: 26 December 1737 - 14 February 1738
- First performance: 15 April 1738: London, King's Theatre, Haymarket (5
performances to 2 May)
- Original cast from first performance:
- Serse : Gaetano Majorano, called "Caffarelli" (soprano-castrato)
- Arsamene : Maria Antonia Marchesini, called "La Lucchesina" (alto)
- Amastre : Antonia Maria Merighi (contralto)
- Romilda : Elisabeth Duparc, called "La Francesina" (soprano)
- Atalanta : Margherita Chimenti, called "La Droghierina" (soprano)
- Ariodate : Antonio Montagnana (bass)
- Elviro : Antonio Lottini (bass)
- Notes : Includes the famous aria, "Ombra mai fù" or "Handel's
Largo".
- HG edition: 92
- HHA edition: II/39
HWV 41: Imeneo
- Genre: Opera
- Libretto: ?; After Silvio Stampiglia, 1723, 2-part 'componimento dramatico'
- Composed: 9-20 September 1738
- Completed score: 10 October 1740
- First performance: 22 November 1740: London, Lincoln's Inn Fields Theatre (also
13 December).
- Original cast from first performance:
- Imeneo : William Savage (bass)
- Tirinto : Giovanni Battista Andreoni (alto-castrato)
- Rosmene : Elisabeth Duparc, called "La Francesina" (soprano)
- Clomiri : Miss Edwards (soprano)
- Argenio : Henry Theodore Reinhold (bass)
- Revival: 24 March 1742: Dublin, New Music Hall, Fishamble St. (as Hymen, a
Serenata, in Italian) (also 31 March)
- HG edition: 93
- HHA edition: II/40
HWV 42: Deidamia
- Genre: Opera
- Libretto: By Paolo Antonio Rolli
- Composed:
- 27 October - 7 November 1740: Acts I and II
- 14 - 20 November 1740: Act III
- First performance: 10 January 1741: London, Lincoln's Inn Fields Theatre (Also 24
January and 10 February; the 10 February performance took place at the "Little
Theatre" in the Haymarket, London.)
- Original cast from first performance:
- Deidamia : Elisabeth Duparc, called "La Francesina" (soprano)
- Nerea : Maria Monza (soprano)
- Achille : Miss Edwards (soprano)
- Ulisse : Giovanni Battista Andreoni (alto-castrato)
- Fenice : William Savage (bass)
- Lycomede : Henry Theodore Reinhold (bass)
- Note: The 10 February 1741 performance was the last performance of a Handel opera
under the composer's direction.
- HG edition: 94
- HHA edition: II/41
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