RIVALS
17th & 18th centuries were times when one man could resolve a quarrel with another by challenging him to a duel and shooting him. When it came to culture wars things weren’t so drastic but the battle ground was littered with pamphlets and publications written by men on opposing sides of the current debate on taste and aesthetics.
New influences from abroad in particular would provoke passionate reactions in the warring camps of supporters. New instruments from Italy invaded the land of viols and lutes. New styles of music vied for supremacy and public battles ensued as in the 'querelle de bouffons' between Rameau and Rousseau.
Some tried to keep the peace and unite the opposing camps. Francois Couperin, who admired the Italian Corelli as much as the French Lully, wrote music inspired by both styles; he called it the 'gout reunis'.
Great rivalries grew between the different theatres and between the performers on stage in their bid to attract the biggest audience. This extended to the green room where the stars of the day, keen to hold onto their roles and the adoration of their fans, could break out into tussles involving corset and wig pulling! The public were no less restrained and could express their strong opinions of the performance with the throwing of vegetables or even rioting and the destruction of the building.
In our programme we will explore the musical rivalries of the 17th and 18th centuries and play some of our favourite music which, with the passing of centuries, we can love equally.
