In the late 1740s, Handel composed four oratorios characterized by their strong military focus. He began with "Judas Maccabaeus" around 1745; he then interrupted work to complete "The Occasional Oratorio," which, given the political climate of the time, was intended to appeal to the English public. Following the great success of "Judas Maccabaeus," Handel turned his attention to the oratorio "Alexander Balus," which premiered at Covent Garden in 1748. A planned revival in 1751 was canceled due to a bereavement.
Several anecdotes exist regarding Handel's collaboration with the Reverend Thomas Morell. For example, Handel expressed reservations about the use of the word "billow" in the libretto. Another account describes how Morell and Handel worked together to find suitable phrasing for certain passages.
The libretto of "Alexander Balus" is based on biblical events from the Book of Maccabees. Morell's adaptation added further drama and detail to the plot.
The oratorio's story unfolds in three acts: In the first act, choruses celebrate Alexander's victory, while the second act focuses on political intrigue and the wedding of Alexander and Cleopatra. The third act ends tragically, depicting death and loss.
The original cast included outstanding singers such as Caterina Galli and Casarini, who was primarily engaged for male roles. For later performances, roles and arias were altered to accommodate new soloists.