One City, Two Publics: Italian Opera and Its Foils in London

German composer…Italian opera…English audience. What gives?

Today, the average music lover mostly remembers German composer G.F. Handel for his oratorios — especially the incredibly famous Messiah — large English-language choral works based on religious texts that were mostly written during his long career in England. At one time, though, Handel was equally renowned (perhaps more renowned) for the more than 3 dozen Italian operas he wrote for English audiences. Wait…what? A German composer writing Italian operas for an English-speaking audience? Odd though it may seem now, in Handel’s day this was regarded as perfectly normal.

• Dec 6: Part One of this series highlights the strange attractions of lavish Italian opera in London.
• Dec 8: Part Two compares these musical luxury “imports” with a local product, the English-language ballad opera.

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Part of the Project Resonance  Listening Then & Now Series

A delightfully surprising and in-depth multi-media presentation curated by Music Academy of the West Director of Audience Experience and Engagement Henry Michaels. This four-part series brings you inside music and history to provoke your curiosity. Each 75-minute session visits specific moments in time, giving you context for listening and insight about the culture. Enjoy discussion over coffee in the lobby after each event.