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Arts
Alan Frost explores the wealth of world-class music and theatre on offer in the landmark year of 2013
BI(CENTENNIAL) BIRTHDAYS This year is the bicentenary of the births of
Many happy returns: 2013 is an opportune time to celebrate the works of Wagner, Britten and Verdi (pictured left to right)
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Giuseppe Verdi and Richard Wagner, considered two of the most influential composers of nineteenth century operas. Most opera houses worth their salt are producing more Ring Cycles this year than you can shake a baton at and masses of Verdi. And why not? Their music is glorious, albeit in two markedly different styles. Dorset Opera, whose board I chair, is no exception. It is staging The Flying Dutchman as well as a new production of La Traviata directed by Sir Jonathan Miller.
However, I feel a slight concern for the forgotten few also born in 1813, whose stars did not burn as brightly as Wagner’s and Verdi’s. What about the Russian Alexander Dargomyzhsky? Or the French pianist and composer Charles-Valentin Alkan? Another vital bicentenary this year is of the Royal Philharmonic Society, having mounted its first season of public orchestral concerts in 1813. The first British performance of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony was given by the Royal Philharmonic on 21 March 1825.
THE ACTUARY • June 2013 www.theactuary.com
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