About the work
Der beglückte Florindo is the first part of a two-part opera by George Frideric Handel to a libretto by Hinrich Hinsch; the second part is titled Die verwandelte Daphne. Handel composed the work before leaving for Italy for Hamburg's Gänsemarkt opera house, where it premiered in his absence in January/February 1708.
Plot
The first part shows the Pythian festival held in honour of Apollo and the betrothal of Florindo to the nymph Daphne announced that day. The second part, Die verwandelte Daphne, tells of Apollo's pursuit of Daphne and her transformation into a laurel tree as she flees his love.
Cultural significance
The work is a notable example of the Baroque opera dilogy at Hamburg's Gänsemarkt opera and was written around the time of Handel's first stay in Italy. Its score survives only in a few numbers later reused in other works, leaving the printed libretto as the main source for reconstructing the opera.