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18th-19th Century Romanticism with Simon Rees
February 19, 2025 @ 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm EST
The Romantics shared a new way of looking at the world and a willingness to disrupt social expectations.
They inspired people to explore themselves and the world around them. They believed in self-esteem, wild flights of imagination and an empathy with the everyday. Passionate about personal freedom and social justice, they found themselves on the fringes of society. Their work turned convention on its head, with a creativity that still challenges us today.
Handel’s Operas on Themes from Romances
George Frideric Handel settled in London in 1712, where he spent the rest of his life composing operas with Italian texts, often inspired by romance novels like Rodelinda and Orlando furioso. Featuring exotic, extravagant plots and settings, these operas showcased the virtuosity of renowned singers, including celebrated castrati, through florid arias. Wonderful musical examples are included in lecture.
In the series:
Feb. 19: Handel’s Operas on Themes from Romances
Feb. 26: John Gay and the Beggar’s Opera
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