The Masque in Act 5

There were popular myths surrounding the life of Roman Emporer Diocletian (AD 284-305), and this opera is about two of those. The first concerns the prophecy leading up to Diocletian becoming Emperor. The second myth surrounded his abdication.

The story of Diocletian was first turned into a play by Beaumont and Fletcher in 1622. It was revived several times until Thomas Betterton, impresario of the United Company, got hold of it and decided to turn it into a semi-opera in 1690. He altered the play and added operatic elements: elaborate machinery, costumes, effects, and staging. M. Priest supplied the dances, and H. Purcell the music.