Italian Divas in London
Wednesday 8 October, 6.30pm – 8.00pm followed by drinks reception.
Venue: Italian Cultural Institute, 39 Belgrave Square, London SW1X 8NX
A chance to discover and disuss cutting-edge research with leading academics on the lives and careers of the 18th-century female singers who worked in London, which is currently challenging preconceptions about these women. The discussion will look at areas such as the competition between English and Italian singers, Handel's control over the careers of his sopranos, the ethnic prejudice against Italian sopranos and hostility toward Catholicism during this period. The discussion will be chaired by Rupert Christiansen, opera critic and author of 'Prima Dona: A History'; Dr Berta Joncus, Director of Music at the University of Oxford and author of a forthcoming book on 18th-century singer and actress Kitty Clive; Dr Suzana Ograjensek, Research Fellow at Cambridge University and currently editing Il pastor fido for the Hallische Handel-Ausgabe and guest panelist.
Tickets: Free, please call the Handel House to book you place
Booking opens 11 August