Handel was not the only composer to write operas for the Academy however. The Italian composer Giovanni Bononcini had also been resident in London and composing operas for the Academy since 1719 and some music lovers preferred his lighter, more Italianate style with straightforward melodies to Handel's more weighty music. The rivalry between those who supported one of the composers more than the other inspired a satirical ditty from John Byrom: Some say, compared to Bononcini That meinherr Handel's but a ninny. Others aver that he to Handel Is scarcely fit to hold a candle. Strange all this difference should be Twixt Tweedledum and Tweedledee! To capitalise on this rivalry, according to Handel's first biographer John Mainwaring, which was not between the composers themselves but their "fans", the Academy decided to have both of them write an act each of an opera, with the third Academy composer Filippo Amadei composing a third act. Such collaborative efforts in opera composition were quite usual in Italy at the time, but Muzio Scevola was unique in England in being composed in that way. Handel was generally considered to have "won" this "competition" with most audience members rating his music far more highly than the others. Handel's Act Three is scored for two oboes, bassoon, two trumpets, two horns, strings and continuo instruments. (cello, lute, harpsichord). Recordings Newport Classic NPD 85540/260125, recorded 1991: D'Anna Fortunato (Muzio), Julianne Baird (Clelia), John Ostendorf (Porsena), Jennifer Lane (Irene), Andrea Matthews (Fidalma), Erie Mills (Orazio), Frederick Urrey (Tarquinio) Brewer Baroque Chamber Orchestra; conductor Rudolph Palmer (excerpts). References Notes Sources The first of the two volume definitive reference on the operas of Handel Hicks, Anthony (1998), Muzio Scevola, in 'The New Grove Dictionary of Opera', ed. Stanley Sadie London: Macmillan. External links Italian libretto, Act Three Score (Atto Terzo) of Muzio Scevola (ed. Friedrich Chrysander, Leipzig 1874) Operas by George Frideric Handel Operas by Giovanni Bononcini Operas by multiple composers Italian-language operas 1721 operas Operas Cultural depictions of Lucius Tarquinius Superbus Cultural depictions of Cloelia