The Changes, or Plus ca change? Newburgh Hamilton's Early Writings and the Politics of Handel's Librettos

Abstract

This article examines the early writings of one of Handel’s English librettists, Newburgh Hamilton. It describes what seems to be Hamilton’s first publication, the little-studied Tory satire The Changes (1711), sets it alongside other early publications and biographical details, and reads this material alongside two of Hamilton’s librettos for Handel, Alexander’s Feast (1736) and Samson (1743). Hamilton’s early writings are approached less as contexts for the oratorios than as texts with their own interest, and as intertexts to be set in dialogue with later productions. The article seeks to contribute to debate over the politics of Handel’s vocal music, debate provoked not least by the diffi..