A sacred oratorio in three acts for soloists and mixed chorus (SATB) with orchestra acc. (2 oboes, 2 violins, viola, and basso continuo). A contents index is given on p. 219. According to the Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians, Handel composed this oratorio from 23 August - 23 October 1744. Charles Jennens wrote the libretto on the Biblical story of the downfall of the King of Babylon with details taken from "Cyropaedia" (a political romance about the education of an ideal ruler) by Herodotus and Xenophon's.

Map shows extent of European colonies of New France, New Mexico, New Spain, New Britain, and New England; areas of Native American habitation; also the West Indies and the northern coast of South America. Relief shown pictorially. Scale [ca. 1:12,500,000].

Dardanus went through a number of revisions from the time of its premiere in 1739 until its final eighteenth-century run at the Opéra in 1771. The version in the Virtual Rare Book Room was first performed in 1744; the last three acts exhibit extensive plot changes from the first edition. The final version in 1760 received the most positive acclaim, especially compared to the criticisms that were made about the nonsensical plot of the first version. By this point, however, the polemic between the Lullistes and the Ramistes, which had surrounded the premiere, had subsided.

Map shows known geography, place names, and areas of Native American habitation in the eastern half of mid-eighteenth century North America. Relief shown pictorially. No scale noted.

This map shows North and Central America including bodies of waters and landforms (with relief shown pictorially). Areas are all labeled, including "California" which is depicted with the "Gulf of California or Red Sea" separating it from the rest of North America. There are also notations for "European Cities and Towns," "Indian Towns," "Forts," and "Castles." Scale [ca.1:8,000,000].

Map shows Western Hemisphere, western Europe, western coast of Africa, "Island" [Iceland], "Groenland," British, French, and Spanish colonies in North America. Last date of discovery shown is 1743. Northwestern portion of North American continent undefined. Prime meridian: Ferro. Includes names of explorers and dates of discoveries. Relief shown pictorially. Scale not given.