London 1720
11 October France / Minihy-Tréguier
Sonatas by Georg Friedrich Handel, William Babell, Johann Christoph Pepusch, Francesco Geminiani…
The political events of the early 18th century, under Queen Anne and then King George of Hanover, shaped the contours of the modern United Kingdom. Marked by strong economic growth, the 1720s saw the rapid rise of a new wealthy class, enriched by speculation and ready to support, in the face of a moribund court culture, a new cultural model of private urban patronage, whose finest ornament would be Italian opera.
The Haymarket Theatre opened its doors in 1705 and within a few years became one of the most popular venues in London, where divas and castrati performed. Public concerts were not to be outdone, and London quickly became an El Dorado for foreign musicians.
This period, still largely influenced by the music of Corelli, saw the emergence of concertos and instrumental virtuosity, championed by the greatest talents of the time, including Georg Friedrich Handel, Francesco Geminiani and Johann Christoph Schickhardt.
This period, still largely influenced by the music of Corelli, saw the emergence of concertos and instrumental virtuosity, championed by the greatest talents of the time, including Georg Friedrich Handel, Francesco Geminiani and Johann Christoph Schickhardt.
Sébastien Marq, recorder
Florence Bolton, viola da gamba
Benjamin Perrot, theorbo
Jean-Miguel Aristizabal, harpsichord
