In Week 2, we will explore MEDIEVAL and PAPAL ROME, featuring operas about the disastrous mid-13th century pilgrimage to the Lateran of Heinrich Tannhauser, the astonishing mid-14th century imperial revival of Rome under Cola di Rienzi, and the heroic mid-16th century triumph of the brilliant sculptor Benvenuto Cellini – none of which shows the Papacy in a very favourable light.