Masque (1718)
Somewhat surprisingly for an oratorio, the work was originally staged or semi-staged. It began as a masque (HWV 50a), composed early in Handel's English career, and before the body of his success as an opera composer. It was first composed and performed, probably, at Cannons, where the Duke of Chandos employed Handel in 1718 as resident composer writing for his patron's singers and small orchestra. Little is known about this first version of Esther. It had a few other private performances but otherwise remained untouched for more than a decade thereafter.
Read more about this topic: Esther (Handel)