 "Ruth" is an opera with libretto in English composed by Lennox Berkeley that premiered in London in 1956.George Frideric Handel composed a series of dramatic oratorios in English on Biblical themes.Among those with major roles for notable women from the Bible are "Esther", composed for private performance in a nobleman's home in 1718, revised into a full oratorio in 1732, "Deborah", first performed at the King's Theatre in London on 17 March 1733, "Athalia", first performed on 10 July 1733 at the Sheldonian Theatre in Oxford,"Samson", premiere performance at Covent Garden theatre in London on 18 February 1743, and "Jephtha", premiered at Covent Garden on 26 February 1752.