Terpsichore: Masque, Consisting of a Prelude, Airs Duettes, a Chorus, and Dances - Handel, George Frideric 1685-1759 (London Arnold, 1795)
Terpsicore is a prologue in the form of an opéra-ballet by George Frideric Handel. Handel composed it in 1734 for a revision of his opera Il pastor fido which had first been presented in 1712. The revision of Il pastor fido with Terpsicore as the prologue was first performed on 9 November 1734 at Covent Garden theatre in London, opening Handel's first season in that newly built theatre.
It is the only example of a Handel opera with a prologue, and is patterned on the similar extended prologues in the works of Jean-Philippe Rameau, blending operatic arias, choruses, and dancing. The work opens with a chorus, followed by a bravura aria each for Apollo and Erato. Terpsicore demonstrates the power of dance in a series of contrasted dance movements, interspersed with duets and solos from the singers.
Pages 47-53 include dances and two arias from other operas: 'Arianna' and 'Flavio'.
the incipits don't entirely match those in the Händel-Handbuch
Keywords: 18th Century (1701-1800); Prelude; Ballet; Opera; London (United Kingdom)