Conductor: Brett Weymark

Sydney Philharmonia Chamber Singers and Orchestra

 

English culture enjoyed a renaissance under the reign of Elizabeth I. A collection of madrigals was published extolling her beauty and intelligence entitled The Triumphs of Oriana and Shakespeare’s immortal words were being uttered on London’s stages. Britten’s coronation opera Gloriana explores the relationship between Elizabeth I and the Earl of Essex and the Choral Dances form part of a masque in honour of the Queen. Tippett’s eloquent setting of Shakespeare’s poetry in Songs for Ariel prepare us for Purcell’s take on The Tempest written during the restoration when London enjoyed another period of artistic prosperity after Charles II reopened the theatres and revivals of the great classics were reworked with elaborate staging and great music.

Approx. 120 min with interval