ABSTRACT
Modern performances of Il Trionfo del Tempo e del Disinganno have brought the authors's appreciation a long way from the verdicts that it "has no real plot" and "the frigid text obviously did not inspire Handel". This chapter describes Il Trionfo as a masterpiece of humane insight, a work which, though it can be illuminated by historical reference, can be appreciated without recourse to any extraneous material, because it is true to life. It puts some flesh on these bones, and traces Bellezza's growth. During the course of the work Bellezza begins to listen to Tempo and Disinganno and to move away from Piacere's influence. With Tempo and Disinganno gaining on her, Piacere leads her to his palace, where the crowning sensory pleasure is hearing Handel play a dazzling organ sonata. With "Chiedi piacer" Disinganno and Tempo make her an outright invitation to "piacer sincero", "genuine pleasure" in "the palace where truth resides".
