Episode 1
Suzy Klein tells the story of the composers and musicians who shaped the 18th-century British musical map. She investigates music as a weapon in the fight for British identity.
Suzy Klein investigates music as a weapon in the fight for British identity; helping to cement the power of a new German royal family and used in Jacobite uprisings against them. She discovers why Italian opera was all the rage, thanks partly to a fascination with castrated male singers.
When Handel arrived in London, the city realised it has a genius on its hands, a man capable of creating music of such power, vigour and vitality that it can stir the hearts of the whole nation. Music stirred a 'bottom up' revolution, as the Beggar's Opera brought the satirical, subversive songs of the street onto the British stage, inventing modern musical theatre as we know it.
Featured music includes Rule Britannia, God Save the King, Handel's Water Music and Thomas Arne's guide to hating the French - Beer-Drinking Britons.
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Music Played
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Early Opera Company
Music for the Royal Fireworks Rejouissance - Allegro
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Henry Purcell
The Queens Funeral March
Choir: Winchester Cathedral Choir.- ARGO4368332.
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Giovanni Battista Bononcini
Troppo Il Dolore Ernesto from Griselda
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George Frideric Handel
I Dixit Dominus Domino Meo
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George Frideric Handel
Combatti da forte (Rinaldo)
- Sony Classical.
- SM3K34592.
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George Frideric Handel
Furie terribili (Aria from Rinaldo)
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George Frideric Handel
Amidigi di Gaula - Act III - Sinfonia
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George Frideric Handel
Hornpipe from Water Music
- Philips 4260032.
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George Frideric Handel
Water Music Suite in D: no 2 Alla Hornpipe
Performer: Early Opera Company.![]()
George Frideric Handel
Coro/Finale, Amico arrida il ciel (Alessandro HWV 21)
- Pan Classics PC10275.
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George Frideric Handel
Recitativo: Vien di Romano inclita figlia from Handels Ottone
Conductor: Robert King. Singer: Dominique Visse. Singer: Claron McFadden.- Hyperion.
- CDA66751.
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George Frideric Handel
Alessandro - Aria: "Brilla nell'alma"
- Decca.
- 4784699.
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George Frideric Handel
Lascia Chio Pianga, from Rinaldo
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George Frideric Handel
Alessandra: Placa lalma Rosseane Lisaura
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George Frideric Handel
Alessandro: Che vidi! Che mirai?
- Decca 4784699.
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George Frideric Handel
Rompo I Lacci, Flavio
Singer: Iestyn Davies.![]()
Riccardo Broschi
English Country Dances: Portsmouth
Performer: The Broadside Band.![]()
John Gay
Beggars Opera Overture
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John Gay
Beggars Opera: When My Hero in Court Appears
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John Gay
Beggars Opera: Mr Bevereidges Maggot
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John Gay
Beggars Opera: Air 1 - Through the Employment of Life An Old Woman Clothed in Gray
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John Gay
Beggars Opera: Air 38 Why HOW Now Madam Flirt Good Morrow Gossip
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John Gay
Beggars Opera: Virgins are like their fair flowers
- Decca 4300662.
- GCD81861.
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Thomas Arne
Artaxerxes: Fair Aurora Prithee Stay
- GCD21116.
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Thomas Arne
Rule Britannia
- A Fairest Isle.
- HYPERION CDA67115.
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Thomas Arne
Alfred Overture - Allegro moderato
- GCD181269-1.
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Thomas Arne
Rule Britannia
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The Pipes & Drums 1St Bat. The Blackwatch
Donald Blue
- Proud Heritage.
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Thomas Arne
God Save our King
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Thomas Arne
God Save our Queen
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Thomas Arne
Beer Drinking Britons
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William Herschel
Symphony No. 8 in C minor
Performer: Tom Bowling.
Credits
| Role | Contributor |
|---|---|
| Presenter | Suzy Klein |
| Producer | David Jeffcock |
| Director | David Jeffcock |
| Executive Producer | Paul Bullock |
18th Century Season
Meet the Georgians who forged modern Britain, across BBC Two, BBC Four and BBC Radio 3.
