To survive economically as well as culturally, composers, librettists and singers have always had to be politically astute as well as artistically creative. In this course we will consider the implications for their work, focusing primarily on Louis XIV’s patronage of Jean-Baptiste Lully; the role of Verdi in the 19th-century Italian Risorgimento; the complex politics of Wagner and the current dilemmas facing Russian singers and musicians. No prior knowledge is required for this course. There will be wonderful music to enjoy, interspersed with absorbing discussions as we explore this popular tutor’s lively ‘take’ on operatic performance past and present.
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