This preview has been provided by Carolina Pro Musica.
Eighteenth century Britain was a remarkable place. Because of Britain’s number of colonies, international trade grew at a fast pace with London as the centre. Good manufactured here were sold at home and abroad. The country had a relatively stable, democratic government and successful financial institutions offered support. Merchants, traders, craftsmen and a new ‘middle’ class could afford the time and money to participate in opera houses, and music clubs. In London, the pleasure gardens offered instrumental music and the latest “songs”, from current stage productions. According to Samuel Johnson; "there is in London all that life can afford."
England, the musical center of Europe, saw a great influx of continental musicians seeking fame and fortune. The best known was George F. Handel who dominated the opera and oratorio scene. Virtuosic Italian performers/composers Francesco Geminiani and Francesco Barsanti could be found working in the London theaters. Their music, along with that of Handel, was in print both legally and illegally. Geminiani promoted Corelli’s music and his own. Appealing to the new middle class for music to perform at home, we find publication of instrumental works by Geminiani and Barsanti based on famous Scottish and English popular songs.
Our first concert shows the diversity of music in Britain – a Handel cantata written in his early days there, a recorder sonata and Scottish song arrangements by the oboist, flute player Barsanti, songs with texts by Robert Burns. Some melodies will be familiar. The Burns text “John Highland Man” is set to the famous dance tune “The White Cockade”. Come and enjoy September 15, 2012 8:00 P.M. St. Martin's Episcopal Church 1510 E 7th St., Charlotte NC 28204 Repeat September 17,2012 8:00 P.M. Arts at the Abbey, Belmont Abbey College, 100 Nelmont-Mt Holly Rd., Belmont NC
