MOZART 250

1775 — a retrospective

29 January 2025, 7.30pm — Cadogan Hall, London

Soloists: Alexandra Lowe (soprano), Alessandro Fisher (tenor)

Ordonez

Symphony in G minor, G8

Hasse

Aria from La Danza

Haydn

Aria from Il ritorno di Tobia

Mozart

“Si mostra la sorte”, K.209 “Con ossequio, con rispetto”, K.210 “Voi avete un cor fedele”, K.217

Benda

Scene from Medea

Haydn

Symphony No. 67 in F major

Mozart: La finta giardiniera

25 March 2025, 7.00pm – Cadogan Hall, London

Cast:

Sandrina

Ava Dodd (soprano)

Belfiore

Hugo Brady (tenor)

Arminda

Camilla Harris (soprano)

1774 — a retrospective

18 January 2024, 7.30pm — Wigmore Hall, London

Soloists: Chiara Skerath, Sarah Dufresne (sopranos), Alessandro Fisher (tenor)

Zimmermann

Symphony in E minor

Gluck

“Par un père cruel” from Iphigénie en Aulide “Jupiter, lance la foudre” from Iphigénie en Aulide

Anfossi

“Care pupile belle” from La finta giardiniera (UK première)

Salieri

“Sperar il caro porto” from La calamita de’ cuori (UK première)

Mozart

“Ergo interest… Quaere superna” K.143

Mysliveček

“Pace e calma in questo sdegno” from Artaserse (UK première)

Mozart

Symphony No. 29 in A, K.201

Gluck

Scene from Act 3 of Orphée et Euridice

Mozart in 1774

2 May 2024, 7.30pm — Wigmore Hall, London

Soloists: Samantha Clarke (soprano), Jane Gower (bassoon)

Mozart

Symphony No. 28 in C major, K.200

Paisiello

“Povera prence… Deh, non varcar” from Andromeda

Mozart

Bassoon Concerto in B flat major, K.191 Epistle Sonata in D major, K.144 “Crudeli, fermate… Ah, dal pianto” from La finta giardiniera Symphony No. 30 in D major, K.202

1773 — a retrospective

27 January 2023, 7.30pm — Wigmore Hall, London

Soloists: Alexandra Lowe (soprano)

Mozart

Symphony No. 27 in G major, K.199

Schweitzer

“Er ist gekommen… Zwischen Angst und zwischen Hoffen” from Alceste

C. P. E. Bach

Symphony in B minor, Wq.182, no.5

Mysliveček

“Potea quel pianto” from La Passione di Nostro Signore Gesu Cristo

Haydn

“È la pompa un grand’imbroglio” from L’infideltà delusa Symphony No. 51 in B flat major

Mozart

“Exsultate, jubilate”, K.165

Arias for Rauzzini

19 September 2023, 7.30pm — Wigmore Hall, London

Soloists: Rebecka Wallroth (mezzo-soprano)

Mozart

Symphony No. 25 in G minor, K.183 “Dunque sperar poss’io… Il tenero momento” from Lucio Silla, K.135 “Ah se a morir mi chiama” from Lucio Silla, K.135

Paisiello

“Dileguatevi dal core” from Sismano nel Mogol

Mozart

Symphony No. 23 in D major, K.181 “Exsultate, jubilate”, K. 165

1773 — An Opera Kaleidoscope

2 November 2023, 7.30pm — Wigmore Hall, London

Soloists: Mimi Doulton, Sarah Dufresne, Kiandra Howarth (sopranos), Guy Cutting (tenor), Jamie Woollard (bass)

Mozart

Symphony No. 26 in E flat major, K. 184

Paisiello

“Fra tanti affanni” from Sismano nel Mogol

Berezovsky

“Misero pargoletto” from Demofoonte

Mysliveček

“Di chi m’oltraggia” from Demetrio “Giusti Dei da voi non chiede” from Demetrio

Haydn

“Ho un tumore” from L’infedeltà delusa “Non v’è rimedio” from L’infedeltà delusa

Paisiello

“Ah non tacer, mia vita” from Sismano nel Mogul

Schweitzer

Overture to Alceste “Er ist gekommen… Zwischen Angst” from Alceste

Mysliveček

“Basta cosi, vincesti” from Romolo ed Ersilia

Schweitzer

“Er ist geschehn… O du, mein zweytes beßres ich” from Alceste

Haydn

Scene from Philemon und Baucis “Bella sera ed aure grate” from L’infedeltà delusa

1772 — a retrospective
27 January 2022, 7.30pm — Cadogan Hall, London
Soloists: Chiara Skerath (soprano)
Jessica Cale (soprano)

Mozart

Symphony No. 15 in G major, K.124

Jommelli

“Barbari, ah! non ferite” from Cerere placata

Traetta

“Io resto sempre a piangere” from Antigona

Mozart

Epistle Sonatas in E flat major, K.67 and B flat major, K. 68

J. C. Bach

“Se tiranni, oh Dei, non siete” from Endimione

Gassmann

“Quel nocchier che in gran procella” from La Betulia liberata

Mozart

“Ah, perché cercar degg’io” from Il sogno di Scipione

Haydn

Symphony No. 52 in C minor

Haydn’s ‘Farewell’
15 March 2022, 7.30pm — Cadogan Hall, London

Haydn

Symphony No. 47 in G major Symphony No. 46 in B major Symphony No. 45 in F sharp minor, ‘Farewell’

Mozart in 1772
21 November 2022, 7.30pm — Cadogan Hall, London
Soloists: Louise Alder (soprano)
Steven Devine (harpsichord)

Mozart

Symphony No. 21 in A, K.134 “Dalla sponda tenebrosa” from Lucio Silla Keyboard Concerto in D major, K.107/1 “In un istante… Parto, m’affretto” from Lucio Silla “Sposo… mia vita… Fra i pensier più  funesi di morte” from Lucio Silla Symphony No. 20 in D, K.133 “Vanne. T’affretta… Ah se il crudel periglio” from Lucio Silla

Chamber Music Filming
26/27 April 2021 – St Giles’ Cripplegate
Soloists: Matthew Truscott,
Julia Kuhn (violins),
Max Mandel (viola),
Sarah McMahon (cello),
Steven Devine (harpsichord)

Haydn

String Quartet in C minor, Op. 17, no. 4

J. C. Bach

Harpsichord Concerto in E flat major, Op. 7, no. 5

Haydn

Sonata in C minor Hob XVI:20

1771 — a retrospective
8 July 2021, 7.30pm — Cadogan Hall, London
Soloists: Kitty Whately (mezzo-soprano)
Steven Devine (harpsichord)

Mozart

Symphony in F major, K.75

Mysliveček

“Non so se il mio peccato” from Adamo ed Eva

C. P. E. Bach

Harpsichord Concerto in C minor, Wq.43/4

Salieri

“E non degg’io seguirla… Lungi da te, ben mio” from Armida

Haydn

Symphony No. 44 in E minor, ‘Trauer’

1771 — Mozart’s perspective
22 November 2021, 7.30pm — Cadogan Hall, London
Soloist: Emily Pogorelc (soprano)

Mozart

Symphony No. 12 in G, K.110/75b Concert aria, “Non curo l’affetto”, K.74b

Paisiello

“Onde amiche… Smarrita, tremante” from Annibale in Torino

Mozart

Symphony No. 13 in F major, K.112 “Ah, perchè cercar degg’io” (1st version) from Il sogno di Scipione

Hasse

“Non esser troppo altero” from Il Ruggiero

Mozart

“L’ombra de’ rami tuoi” from Ascanio in Alba, K.111 Symphony No. 14 in A major, K.114

Our survey of 1770 featured a retrospective concert exploring the year and a three-day mini-festival exploring Mozart’s time in Italy. A complete concert production of Mitridate, re di Ponto was scheduled to take place in November but was unable to go ahead due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

1770 — a retrospective
9 January 2020, 7.30pm — Wigmore Hall, London
Soloists: Samantha Clarke (soprano)
Ida Ränzlöv (mezzo-soprano)

Vanhal

Symphony in E minor, e1

Gluck

“O del mio dolce ardor” from Paride ed Elena “Tutto qui mi sorprende… Le belle immagini” from Paride ed Elena

Haydn

“Caro Volpino amabile” (2nd version) from Lo speziale “Già si vede i vezzi e vanti” from Le pescatrici

J.C. Bach

Duet, “Guardami in volto” from Gioas, re di Giuda

Mozart

“Lungi da te, mio bene” from Mitridate, re di Ponto

Jommelli

“Misero pargoletto” from Demofoonte

J.C. Bach

Symphony in G minor, Op. 6, no. 6

Mozart

Duet, “Se viver non degg’io” from Mitridate, re di Ponto

Mozart in Italy
6-8 March 2020 — Cadogan Hall, London

Friday 6 March

TALK: Mozart in Italy
Cliff Eisen, Professor of Music History at King’s College London, presents an overview of Mozart’s 1770 tour of Italy.

Concert 1: THE AUDITION
Soloists: Samantha Clarke (soprano)
Rachel Kelly (mezzo-soprano)
Stuart Jackson (tenor)

Mozart

Symphony in D, K.100/62a

Guglielmi

Aria, “In un mar di tante pene” from Ruggiero SC Aria, “Degna non è d’un soglio” from Ruggiero SJ Aria, “Ah, spiegar non posso” from Ruggiero RK Aria, “A morte, men vado” from Ruggiero RK Trio, “Ingrata mi sgridi” from Ruggiero SC,RK,SJ

Mozart

Symphony No. 9 in C, K.73/75a Aria, “Se tutti i mali miei”, K.83/73p SC Aria, “Ah, più tremar non voglio”, K.71 (fragment) SJ Aria, “Misero me… Misero pargoletto”, K.77/73e RK

Saturday 7 March

Illustrated Talk: MOZART AND ITALIAN SACRED MUSIC
Cliff Eisen (speaker)
Chamber Choir of King’s College, London
Edward Jones (conductor)

G. Allegri

Miserere

Mozart

Puzzle canons from K.89 Confitebor tibi Domine Thebana bella cantus

Martini

Credo (excerpt)

Mozart

Quaerite primum Dominum Dei, K.86

E. de Ligniville

Stabat Mater (excerpt)

Mozart

Miserere, K.85

Panel Discussion: MOZART’S 1770 ITALIAN TOUR
Writer and broadcaster James Jolly chairs a discussion with Cliff Eisen, Sergio Durante and Ian Page.

Concert 2: THE ROAD TO ROME
Soloists: Kiandra Howarth (soprano)
Sarah Aristidou (soprano)

Piccinni

Aria, “Son Romano, e sono amante” from Cesare in Egitto

Celoniati

Duet, “Prendi l’estremo addio” from Didone abbandonata Aria, “Se non odo dal mio bene” from Didone abbandonata SA

Mozart

Symphony No. 10 in G major, K.74 Aria, “Se ardire e speranza”, K.82/73o Aria, “Fra cento affanni e cento”, K.88/73c

Mysliveček

Overture to La Nitteti Aria, “Povero cor, tu palpiti” from La Nitteti Aria, “Se la cagion saprete” from La Nitteti

Mozart

Contredanse in B flat major, K.123/73g Minuet in E flat, K.122/73t Duet, “Se viver non degg’io” (original version) from Mitridate, re di Ponto

Sunday 8 March

Illustrated Talk: MOZART’S FIRST STRING QUARTET
Sergio Durante (speaker)

Concert 3: THE COMMISSION
Soloists: Sarah Aristidou (soprano)
Kiandra Howarth (soprano)
Stuart Jackson (tenor)

Mozart

Symphony (No. 44) in D major, K.81/73l

Galuppi

“Un pensier mi dice” from L’amante di tutti

Jommelli

Aria, “Misera me!… Ah! ti sento” from Armida abbandonata Aria, “Fra l’orror di notte oscura” from Armida abbandonata Aria, “Misera Armida… Odio, furor, dispetto” from Armida abbandonata

Gasparini

Aria, “Se di lauri il crine adorno” from Mitridate, re di Ponto

Mozart

Aria, “Se di lauri il crine adorno” from Mitridate, re di Ponto (1st version, completed by Stanley Sadie) Symphony in D major, K.84/73q Aria, “Se di lauri il crine adorno” from Mitridate, re di Ponto (final version)

Gasparini

Cavata, “Pallid’ ombre che scorgete” from Mitridate, re di Ponto

Mozart

Cavatina, “Pallid’ ombre che scorgete” from Mitridate, re di Ponto

Mitridate, re di Ponto
26 November 2020 — Queen Elizabeth Hall, Southbank Centre (cancelled due to Covid-19)
It’s the 250th anniversary of the 14-year-old Mozart’s ambitious opera, Mitridate, re di Ponto. First heard at the Teatro Regio Ducale in Milan on 26 December 1770, the composition of this opera marked the end of Mozart’s first trip to Italy, as well as the first operatic success of a composer still a month short of his 15th birthday. The opera is based on Racine’s tragedy Mithridate, and with it the young Mozart displays stunning virtuosity, insight and beauty.

In 2019, we presented a wide-ranging survey of the musical year 1769, as well as a selection of fascinating operas from Hasse and Gluck, based on tales from Ovid’s Metamorphoses.

1769: A Year in Music
29 January 2019, 7.30pm – Queen Elizabeth Hall, Southbank Centre
Soloists: Chiara Skerath (soprano)
James Newby (baritone)

Mozart

Symphony from Cassation in G major, K.63

Arne

Two airs from An Ode upon Dedicating a Building to Shakespeare “Thou soft flowing Avon” “Tho’ crimes from death and torture fl y”

Mozart

“Cara, se le mie pene”, K.deest

Paisiello

“Venga pur” from Don Chisciotte della Mancia

Haydn

“Son vecchio, son furbo” from Le pescatrici

L. Mozart

Symphony in G major, ‘Neue Lambach’ – 1st movement

C. P. E. Bach

“Gott, sieh dein Volk” from Die Israeliten in der Wüste

Gluck

“Nochier che in mezzo all’onde” from Aristeo

Haydn

Symphony No. 48 in C major, ‘Maria Theresia’

Hasse: Piramo e Tisbe
28 March 2019, 7.30pm – Cadogan Hall, London

A fascinating and highly unusual intermezzo based on a tragic tale from Ovid’s Metamorphoses. Composed in 1768 and revived in 1770, it was regarded by the composer as the best of his sixty-two operas, and it differs radically from his previous works, incorporating and developing many of Gluck’s operatic reforms in music of sumptuous lyricism and pathos.
Cast:

Tisbe

Chiara Skerath (soprano)

Piramo

Kiandra Howarth (soprano)

Il padre

Gwilym Bowen (tenor)

Gluck: Bauci e filemone & Orfeo
29 & 31 May 2019, 7.30pm – Queen Elizabeth Hall, Southbank Centre

An enchanting pair of one-act Gluck operas based on stories recounted by Ovid — hailed by the BBC as “the world’s greatest story-teller” — in his celebrated Metamorphoses. Both originally formed part of Le feste d’Apollo, a triple bill composed for a royal wedding in Parma in August 1769.

Cast: (Bauci e Filemone – libretto by Giuseppe Maria Pagnini)

Bauci

Rebecca Bottone (soprano)

Filemone

Lena Belkina (mezzo-soprano)

Giove

Gwilym Bowen (tenor)

La pastorella

Kiandra Howarth (soprano)

Cast: (Orfeo – libretto by Ranieri de’ Calzabigi)

Orfeo

Lena Belkina (mezzo-soprano)

Euridice

Kiandra Howarth (soprano)

Amore

Rebecca Bottone (soprano)

Actors:

Luke Elliott Nadi Kemp-Sayfi Dominyka Morkvėnaitė

In 2018, we turned to historical documentation and scholarly research to inform a rich and varied programme of music from the year 1768, culminating in the modern première of the original version of Mozart’s Bastien und Bastienne.

1768 – a retrospective
23 January 2018, 7.30pm – Wigmore Hall, London

Soloists: Chiara Skerath (soprano),
Katy Bircher (flute)

Haydn

Symphony No. 26 in D minor, “Lamentatione”

Jommelli

“Ombre che tacite qui sede” from Fetonte

J. C. Bach

Flute Concerto in D major

Haydn

“Amore nel mio petto” from Lo speziale “Salamelica, Semprugna cara” from Lo speziale

Mozart

Sinfonia from La finta semplice, K.51 “Amoretti, che ascosi qui siete” from La finta semplice, K.51

Hasse

“Perderò l’amato bene” from Piramo e Tisbe

Vanhal

Symphony in D minor (d1)

Haydn: Applausus
15 March 2018, 7.30pm – Cadogan Hall, London

This one-act cantata was commissioned as an act of homage to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of Abbot Rainer Kollman of the Cistercian monastery in Zwettl taking his vows. Haydn composed the work in early 1768 but was unable to travel to Zwettl to supervise its performance; he therefore wrote a letter giving detailed instructions of how his music should be performed, and this document has survived, providing fascinating practical information and insights into eighteenth-century performance practice.

Cast:

Temperantia

Ellie Laugharne (soprano)

Prudentia

Elspeth Marrow (mezzo-soprano)

Justitia

Thomas Elwin (tenor)

Fortitudo

John Savournin (bass-baritone)

Theologia

David Shipley (bass)

Mozart: La finta semplice
2 June 2018, 7.30pm – Birmingham Town Hall
6 & 8 June 2018, 7.00pm – Queen Elizabeth Hall, Southbank Centre

Written when the composer was just twelve years old, the opera is based on a sparkling comedy by Carlo Goldoni, and combines situations of great comic invention and genuine humour with music of extraordinary beauty, energy and psychological insight.

Cast:

Rosina, a Hungarian Baroness, sister of Fracasso

Regula Mühlemann (soprano)

Don Cassandro, a rich Cremonese landowner

Lukas Jakobski (bass)

Don Polidoro, his younger brother

Alessandro Fisher (tenor)

Giacinta, their sister

Sophie Rennert (mezzo-soprano)

Ninetta, their maid

Chiara Skerath (soprano)

Fracasso, a Hungarian captain

Thomas Elwin (tenor)

Simone, his sergeant

Božidar Smiljanić (bass)

Mozart: Bastien und Bastienne
18 September 2018, 7.30pm – Wigmore Hall, London

The modern première of the original version of Mozart’s Bastien und Bastienne, based on research developed since the relatively recent rediscovery of Mozart’s autograph manuscript.

Soloists: Ellie Laugharne (soprano)
Alessandro Fisher (tenor)
Darren Jeffery (bass-baritone)

Haydn

Symphony No. 49 in F minor, ‘La Passione’

Anon.

Arias from Teutsche Comoedie Arien “Wurstl mein Schaz’rl” “Verdopple deine Wuth” “Die Braut zu vergessen” “O du arme Welt” “Du könntest zwar vor allen”

Mozart

Bastien und Bastienne, K.50

In 2017, we looked back to Mozart’s eleven-year-old self, with productions of his first two stage works, early keyboard sonatas, and a retrospective concert exploring his music alongside that of his contemporaries.

1767 – a retrospective
17 January 2017, 7.30pm – Wigmore Hall, London

Soloists: Gemma Summerfield (soprano)
Stuart Jackson (tenor)
Ashley Riches (bass-baritone)

Mozart

Symphony No. 6 in F major, K.43

Gassmann

“Bella in un vago viso” from Amore e Psiche

Gluck

“No, crudel, non posso” from Alceste

J. C. Bach

“Sopra quel capo indegno” from Carattaco

Abel

“Frena le belle lagrime” from Sifari

Mozart

Grabmusik, K.42

Haydn

“Vidit suum” from Stabat Mater “Flammis orci” from Stabat Mater

Arne

Symphony in C major

Mozart

“Natus cadit” from Apollo et Hyacinthus, K.38

Mozart: The First Commandment
21 March 2017, 7.30pm – St John’s Smith Square

A rare new production of Mozart’s first stage work, composed when he was just eleven years old. Mozart’s score represents the first part of a three-part sacred drama which was performed in Salzburg in 1767, but the two remaining parts are lost. The music is full of tender beauty, dynamism and descriptive flair, and the young composer’s innate understanding and sympathy for the human condition already shine through.

Cast:

Christian

Alessandro Fisher (tenor)

Christian Spirit

Sam Furness (tenor)

Worldly Spirit

Rebecca Bottone (soprano)

Compassion

Gemma Summerfield (soprano)

Justice

Helen Sherman (mezzo-soprano)

Kristian Bezuidenhout at Wigmore Hall
16 May 2017, 7.30pm – Wigmore Hall, London

Composed in the summer of 1767, these works were initially believed to be Mozart’s own compositions, but have since been identified as orchestrations of existing eighteenth-century sonatas. As such, they offer fascinating insights into the eleven-year-old Mozart’s development as a composer.

Soloists: Kristian Bezuidenhout (harpsichord)
Soraya Mafi (soprano)

Mozart

Keyboard Concerto No. 1 in F major, K.37 Licenza, “A Berenice… Sol nascente in questo giorno”, K.70 Keyboard Concerto No. 2 in B flat major, K.39 Keyboard Concerto No. 3 in D major, K.40 “Ein ergrimmter Löwe brüllet” from Die Schuldigkeit des ersten Gebots, K.35 Keyboard Concerto No. 4 in G major, K.41

Mozart: Apollo et Hyacinthus
12 & 13 June 2017, 7.30pm – St John’s Smith Square

A new production of Mozart’s delightful Apollo et Hyacinthus, the second of his two stage works from 1767. The opera was sung in Latin, and is based on a colourful story from Ovid’s Metamorphoses. Mozart was only eleven years old when he wrote this remarkable work, but the music is astonishingly accomplished, frequently anticipating the wonders of his maturity.

Mozart

Symphony in G major, K.45a, ‘Lambach’ Grabmusik, K.42 (Sung in German with English surtitles) Apollo et Hyacinthus, K.38 (Sung in Latin with English surtitles)

Cast: (Grabmusik)

Der Engel

Gemma Summerfield (soprano)

Die Seele

Benjamin Appl (baritone)

Cast: (Apollo et Hyacinthus)

Oebalus

Benjamin Hulett (tenor)

Melia

Klara Ek (soprano)

Apollo

Tim Mead (countertenor)

Zephyrus

James Hall (countertenor)

Hyacinthus

Gemma Summerfield (soprano)

Priest of Apollo

Benjamin Appl (baritone)

Following the triumphant launch of MOZART 250, we continued our unique traversal of the musical scene 250 years ago with a fascinating programme of works dating from 1766.

1766 – A Retrospective
19 January 2016, 7.30pm – Wigmore Hall, London

Soloists: Louise Alder (soprano)
Benjamin Hulett (tenor)

Mozart

Symphony No. 5 in B flat major, K.22

Jommelli

“De’ miei desiri ormai… Che farò” from Il Vologeso

Mozart

“Per pietà, bell’ idol mio”, K.78 “O temerario Arbace… Per quel paterno amplesso”, K.79

Vanhal

Symphony in G minor (g2)

Haydn

“Et incarnatus est” from Missa Cellensis in honorem BVM

Guglielmi

“Povera me!… Sento aimè, nè so che sia” from Lo spirito di contradizione

Beck

1st movement from Symphony in D major, Op.4, no.1

J. C. Bach

“Ah, why shou’d love with tyrant sway”

Mozart

“Or che il dover… Tali e cotanti sono”, K.36 Symphony in G major, K.45a, ‘Lambach’

Jommelli: Il Vologeso
28 April 2016, 7.30pm – Cadogan Hall, London

The UK premiére of Niccolò Jommelli’s Il Vologeso, first performed 250 years ago on 11 February 1766 for the Stuttgart court in Ludwigsburg.

Cast:

Vologeso, King of Parthia

Rachel Kelly (mezzo-soprano)

Berenice, Queen of Armenia, engaged to Vologeso

Gemma Summerfield (soprano)

Lucio Vero, joint Roman Emperor

Stuart Jackson (tenor)

Lucilla, Roman noblewoman, engaged to Lucio Vero

Angela Simkin (mezzo-soprano)

Flavio, a Roman ambassador

Jennifer France (soprano)

Aniceto, Lucio Vero’s attendant

Tom Verney (countertenor)

La Canterina
8 September 2016, 7.30pm – Schloss Esterhazy, Eisenstadt, Austria
19 September 2016, 7.30pm – Wigmore Hall, London

This programme was formed of works written in 1766 by Haydn and Josef Mysliveček, known after his death as ‘the divine Bohemian’. Four dynamic arias from Mysliveček’s first opera were framed by two contrasting Haydn works – a superbly crafted symphony and a vivacious comedy about love, deception and singing lessons.

Haydn

Symphony No. 34 in D minor

Mysliveček

Arias from Semiramide

Haydn

La canterina

Cast:

Gasparina

Susanna Hurrell (soprano)

Apollonia

Rachel Kelly (mezzo-soprano)

Don Ettore

Kitty Whately (mezzo-soprano)

Don Pelagio

Robert Murray (tenor)

MOZART 250 launched in 2015 with the first ever in-depth retrospective of Mozart’s childhood visit to London, during which he wrote his first symphonies and arias.

1765 – A Retrospective
22 January 2015, 7.30pm, Wigmore Hall, London

Mozart 250 began in 2015, the 250^th anniversary of Mozart’s childhood sojourn in London, and launched with this fascinating retrospective of the year 1765. The programme featured music written in London, Paris, Vienna, Eisenstadt, Naples and The Hague, and included Mozart’s first symphony and concert arias.

Soloists: Anna Devin (soprano)
Sarah Fox (soprano)
John Mark Ainsley (tenor)

Mozart

Symphony No. 1 in E flat major K.16 Concert aria, “Va, dal furor portata”, K.21

Gluck

“In mezzo a un mar crudele” from Telemaco

J. C. Bach

“Cara, la dolce fiamma” from Adriano in Siria

Philidor

Scene from Act 3 of Tom Jones

Gluck

“Di questa cetra in seno” from Il Parnaso confuso

Sacchini

“Barbara figlia ingrata” from Creso

Mozart

Concert aria, “Conservati fedele”, K.23

Haydn

Symphony No. 39 in G minor

J. C. Bach

Trio, “Ah, genitore amato” from Adriano in Siria

Mozart in London
Friday 20 to Sunday 22 February 2015, Milton Court, London.

Mozart arrived in London in April 1764 as a uniquely talented eight-year-old, and he and his family stayed for fifteen months. This weekend of events was the first major exploration of this important visit, and as well as all the key works that Mozart composed during the period it featured a vibrant cross-section of music that was being performed in London during his stay, some of which had not been heard since the eighteenth century.

Friday 20 February

Talk: An introduction to Mozart’s London
Cliff Eisen (speaker)

Concert: Mozart’s London

Soloists: Anna Maria Labin (soprano)
Helen Sherman (mezzo-soprano)
Robert Murray (tenor)
Steven Devine (harpsichord)

Mozart

Symphony No.1 in E flat major, K.16

Arne

Four Airs from Judith

“Sleep, gentle Cherub! Sleep descend” “Adorn’d with every matchless grace” “O torment great, too great to bear” “No more the heathen shall blaspheme”

J.C. Bach

Harpsichord Concerto in D major, Op.1, No.6 Three Songs sung at Ranelagh Gardens:

Tenducci

“Indeed my dear, in vain you strive”

Anon.

“Patty of the Mill”

T. Arne

“Nymphs and Shepherds”

Mozart

Symphony No. 4 in D major, K.19

T. Arne

Four Airs from Act 1 of Artaxerxes

“Amid a thousand racking woes” “Behold on Lethe’s dismal strand” “O too lovely, too unkind” “Fly, soft ideas, fly”

Saturday 21 February

Discussion: Mozart in London
Andrew McGregor, Cliff Eisen, Ian Page & David Vickers

Concert: Capricious Lovers: The English Opera in Mozart’s London

Soloists: Rebecca Bottone (soprano)
Sarah-Jane Brandon (soprano)
Samantha Price (mezzo-soprano)
Robert Murray (tenor)

George Rush

Overture and arias from The Capricious Lovers

Overture (Allegro – Allegretto – Allegro) “Thus laugh’d at, jilted and betray’d” “How strange the mode which truth neglects” “If tyrant love with cruel dart” Trio, “For thee my love shall ever burn”

Michael Arne & Jonathan Battishill

Arias from Almena

Arne: “Till thou seest the timid fawn” Battishill: “Would you taste of freedom’s charms” Battishill: “The martial host and tented plain”

William Bates

Arias from Pharnaces

“In this I fear my latest breath” “The spectre Death when view’d from far” Trio, “The gracious pow’rs with timely care”

Thomas Arne

Overture and arias from The Guardian Outwitted

Overture (Con spirito – Larghetto – Andantino ed amoroso) Duet, “O Dolly, I part with a hole in my heart” “When from beauty sweetly blooming” “O how great is the vexation”

(pasticcio)

Arias from The Maid of the Mill

Duni: “To speak my mind” the late Elector of Saxony: “In love to pine” Arnold: “Hist, hist! I hear my mother call!” J. C. Bach: Duet, “My life, my joy”

Thomas Arne

Arias from Artaxerxes

“If the river’s swelling waves” “By that belov’d embrace” “Monster, away!” “Thou like the glorious sun”

Talk: A night at the Opera in Mozart’s London
David Snowman (speaker)

Concert: An Exotic and Irrational Entertainment: The Italian Opera in Mozart’s London

Soloists: Anna Devin (soprano)
Martene Grimson (soprano)
Samantha Price (mezzo-soprano)

(pasticcio)

Arias from Ezio

Vento: “Belle luci che accendete” Pescetti: “Caro mio bene, addio”

(pasticcio)

Arias from Berenice

Vento: “Che pretendi, o ciel tiranno?” J.C. Bach: “Confusa, smarrita”

J.C. Bach

Arias from Adriano in Siria

“Disperato in mar turbato” “Tutti nemici e rei” “Ah, come mi balza il cor… Deh, lascia, o ciel pietoso”

Vento

Arias from Demofoonte

“Misero pargoletto” “Se tutti i mali miei” Duet, “Sposo, consorte… La destra ti chiedo”

(pasticcio)

Arias from Solimano

Pescetti: “Se del caro mio germano” Perez: “Se non ti moro a lato”

Sunday 22 February

Concert: The Genesis of Genius: Mozart’s Chelsea Notebook

Soloists: John Irving (fortepiano)

1.	2.
[Allegro] in F, K.15a	A Contemporary Report on Mozart’s Genius
[Andantino] in C, K.15b	‘Sonata Finale’(?) in F, K.15x
[Menuett] in G, K.15c	[Minuetto] in G, K.15y
[Rondeau] in D, K.15d	‘Sonata Finale’(?) in B flat, K.15aa
[Contredanse] in G, K.15e	‘Sonata Finale’(?) in D, K.15bb
[Tempo di Minuetto] in C, K.15f	‘Sonata First movement’(?) in E flat, K.15cc
[Contredanse] in F, K.15h
[Minuetto] in A (with Trio in A minor), K.15i/k	The “London Notebook” – which instrument?
[Contredanse] in A (with Trio in A minor), K.15l	[Minuetto] in E flat, K.15ee
[Minuetto] in F, K.15m	[Minuetto] in A flat, K.15ff
[Andante] in D, K.15o	[Rondeau] in F, K.15hh
Introducing Mozart’s “London Notebook”	‘Sonata’(?) (or Sinfonia):
‘Sonata’(?) (or Sinfonia):	. . . . . . . I: B flat, K.15ii
. . . . . . . I: G minor, K.15p	. . . . . . . II: E flat, K.15kk
. . . . . . . II: B flat, K.15q	. . . . . . . III: B flat, K.15ll
. . . . . . . III: G minor, K.15r
‘Sonata’(?) (or Sinfonia):	[Andante] in E flat, K.15mm
. . . . . . . I: F, K.15t	[Tempo di Minuetto] in F, K.15oo
. . . . . . . II: D minor, K.15u	[Minuetto] in B flat, K.15pp
. . . . . . . III: F, K.15v	[Minuetto] in E flat, K.15qq

Talk: Georgian London
Lucy Inglis (speaker)

Concert: Bach, Abel and Mozart: London Concert Life in 1765

Soloists: Eleanor Dennis (soprano)
Ben Johnson (tenor)

J.C. Bach

Symphony in G major, Op.3, No.6

Mozart

“Va, dal furor portata”, K.21

J.C. Bach

“Cara, la dolce fiamma” from Adriano in Siria

Abel

Symphony in E flat, Op.7, No.6 Overture to Love in a Village

J.C. Bach

“Misera, che ascoltai… Più madre non sono” from Orione “Non so d’onde viene” from Ezio

Mozart

Symphony in F major, K.19a

J.C. Bach: Adriano in Siria
14, 16, 18 April 2015, 7.00pm – Britten Theatre, London

The première of Johann Christian Bach’s Adriano in Siria took place at the King’s Theatre, Haymarket on 26 January 1765, the eve of Mozart’s ninth birthday, and attracted such a large audience that scarcely a third of those assembled were able to get seats.

Cast:

Adriano, Roman Emperor

Rowan Hellier (mezzo-soprano)

Osroa, King of the Parthians

Stuart Jackson (tenor)

Emirena, daughter of Osroa, in love with Farnaspe

Ellie Laugharne (soprano)

Farnaspe, a Syrian prince, in love with Emirena

Erica Eloff (soprano)

Sabina, a Roman noblewoman, engaged to Adriano

Filipa van Eck (soprano)

Aquilio, a Roman tribune, in love with Sabina

Nick Pritchard (tenor)

Adriano’s attendant

Daniel Swan

Sabina’s lady-in-waiting

Lauren Okadigbo

Emirena’s lady-in-waiting

Lotte Tickner

Soldiers, Parthians, puppeteers, scene changers

Leiran Gibson Victoria Haynes Lauren Okadigbo Sandro Piccirilli Lotte Tickner