ABSTRACT
Handel composed Ariodante in 1734 and the work received its first performance at Covent Garden theatre on 8 January 1735, running for 11 performances to 3 March. There was only one revival of Ariodante under the composer's direction, at Covent Garden for two performances on 5 and 7 May 1736. Handel's autograph of Ariodante has no major insertions relating to his 1736 performances, but there are some relevant amendments in pencil. The reduction in Dalinda's musical role may not have been the end of the story of last-minute alterations to Ariodante in 1736. Maria Negri arrived in time for the performances of Atalanta, but Handel may initially have hoped that she would be in London soon enough to repeat her 1735 role as Polinesso in Ariodante, and so perhaps he delayed the adaptation of the music for Erard until the last moment.
