Handel Athalia (HWV 52) Urtext vocal scoreThe oratorio Athalia tells the Old Testament story of the Queen Athalia . Handel composed it in 1733 for Oxford University where it was first performed later that year during the celebrations for the awarding of honorary degrees. The great success of this performance is generally regarded as a reason for Handels renewed interest in the oratorio form. As was frequently the case, Handel also carried on composing this work after the first performance.