Handel's opera, a co-production with the Earl of Holderness, was first performed on 10 January 1741 at London's Lincoln's Inn Fields Theatre, but received only two more performances at a time when the public was becoming tired of Italian opera. The work was Handel's last Italian opera, and he subsequently turned his attention to composing oratorios. The opera was revived in the 1950s and is occasionally staged, e.g. the 2012 staging by David Alden for Netherlands Opera. It has also been recorded..
| Librettist | Paolo Antonio Rolli |
| Date of composition | 1740 |
| Premiered | 1741, January 10th (London: Lincoln's Inn Fields Theatre) in London, UK |
| Type | Opera |
| Catalogue | HWV 42 |
| Spoken language | Italian |
| Instruments |
Orchestra
Voice (Soprano) - Deidamia, daughter of Licomede Voice (Soprano) - Nerea, friend of Deidamia Voice (Soprano) - Achille (Achilles), in women's dress, under the name of Pirra Voice (Contralto) - Ulisse (Odysseus), King of Ithaca, using the name Antiloco Voice (Bass) - Fenice (Phoenix), King of Argos Voice (Bass) - Licomede (Lycomedes), King of Skyros |
| Links | |
| Autotranslations beta |
Georg Friedrich Haendel: Deidamia, HWV 42 Georg Friedrich Händel: Deidamia, HWV 42 Georg Friedrich Händel: Deidamia, HWV 42 |