In 1734, Covent Garden presented its first ballet, "Pygmalion". Marie Sallé discarded tradition and her corset and danced in diaphanous robes. George Frideric Handel was named musical director of the company at Lincoln's Inn Fields in 1719, but his first season of opera, at Covent Garden, was not presented until 1734. His first opera was "Il pastor fido," followed by "Ariodante" (1735), and the première of "Alcina", and "Atalanta" the following year. In 1743 there was a royal performance of "Messiah"; its success resulted in a tradition of Lenten oratorio performances. From 1735 until his death in 1759, Handel gave regular seasons at Covent Garden; many of his operas and oratorios were written for that venue or had their first London performances there. He bequeathed his organ to John Rich, and it was placed in a prominent position on the stage. It was among many valuable items lost in a fire that destroyed the theatre on 20 September 1808. In 1792 the architect Henry Holland rebuilt the auditorium; he expanded its capacity within the existing shell of the building.