A Different View of Impressionism with Patrick Bade

These lectures will seek to explore some less familiar aspects of the age of Impressionism and in particular to illuminate the relationship between art and music in the late 19^th century. At this time, and under the looming shadow of Wagner, there was an intense and fruitful relationship between art and music. The lectures will combine gorgeous images with some musical examples and will aim to delight the senses.

Wagner and France: La Peinture Wagnerienne

In the closing decades of the 19^th century, Wagner divided the French intelligentsia almost as intensely as Dreyfus. Wagner’s influence reached far beyond the realm of music. For many artists, writers, and musicians to be “Wagnerian” was a badge of honour. His music was performed in “bleeding chunks” in concert almost as a religious rite before devoted audiences. Rare staged performances led to street battles. The influential periodical La Revue Wagneriènne defined virtually all modern art as “Wagnerian”.

In the series:

Degas at the Opera – Apr. 5
Wagner and France: La Peinture Wagnerienne – Apr. 12
Salome: Gustave Moreau, Oscar Wilde and Richard Strauss – Apr. 19