Queen Anne, despite being often judged weak, left a prosperous kingdom to her successor, marking the end of the Stuart dynasty and the beginning of the Hanoverian era.
Cultural Impact
London's cultural economy shifted from royal patronage to private patronage, with theatres and opera houses relying on ticket sales, subscriptions, and advertising.
Historical Context
At the beginning of the 18th century, the new Kingdom of Great Britain was formed, uniting England, Wales, and Scotland under one crown and parliament.
Cultural Impact
The vogue for Italian opera led music publishers like John Walsh to release many arrangements of opera arias for home performance.
Performer Biography
La Rêveuse, founded by Benjamin Perrot and Florence Bolton, is an ensemble of solo musicians dedicated to 17th and 18th-century artistic heritage, performing extensively in France and internationally.
Cultural Impact
Italian opera became highly fashionable in London, leading to a surge in popularity for Italian virtuosos over English artists.
Cultural Impact
The first Italian-style opera in London, 'Arsinoe Queen of Cyprus,' was a pasticcio (a medley of existing works) that was so successful it made Italian music the rage of the city.
