Achilles (opera)

[3] Achilles proved popular; the first performance alone brought John Rich over £200, and the opera ran for over a month after its premiere on 10 February 1733.

[4] The opera takes place on the isle of Skyros, (called "Scyros" in the libretto).

Achilles is disguised by his mother the goddess Thetis as Pyrrha, a woman, in an attempt to prevent him going to Troy, where she is convinced he will die.

However, he falls in love with Deidamia, the daughter of the island's king, Lycomedes.

Various misunderstandings follow, including an attempt by Lycomedes to rape "Pyrrha".