George Frideric Handel's "Siroe, Re di Persia", HWV 24, was premiered on February 17, 1728 at the King's Theatre in London's Haymarket. With Francesca Cuzzoni, Faustina Bordoni and Francesco Bernardi, known as Senesino, the composer had top-class vocal soloists famous throughout Europe at his disposal for no fewer than 17 consecutive performances. However, Handel's opera was not an outstanding success due to the strong competition from the "Beggar's Opera" presented in London at the same time. ...