Rossini in Brighton and London
The series about historical places of opera art & culture. Get to know exciting excursion and travel ideas for opera lovers. This time: Rossini in Brighton and London
All Destinations on google maps with links to detailed Blogposts:
Rossini in England
The 31-year-old Rossini was invited by Benelli, the impresario of the King’s Theatre in London, to come to England and write an opera for London (Ugo re d’Italia). Rossinis wife, the aging prima donna Isabelle Colbran was to sing. However, the visit of the two in 1823 remained artistically unproductive, Rossini did not fulfill his duties and Colbran disappointed with her performances, the voice was already in decline.
Rossini took advantage of the time to make a side trip to Brighton, where he met the king in the spectacular pavilion (see below).
Nevertheless, the nobility was crazy about Rossini. The ladies and gentlemen of high English society were willing to pay any price for singing lessons, small performances, etc., and the newly married Rossini couple could really cash in in England. After 5 months the dust had settled and Rossini left the island, he never came back.
TO THE FULL ROSSINI BIOGRAPHY
Destination Royal Pavillon
The highlight of the trip was the invitation of the art-loving George IV to visit him in his gigantic Oriental pleasure pavilion at the seaside resort of Brighton, which had just been built. In the spectacular great music hall with its Chinese décor, Rossini sang, among other things, Figaro and the king joined in before the assembled audience. A sketch artist captured this scene.
This spectacular hall and the equally spectacular building still stand and can be visited.
Contemporary drawing of the duet of Rossini and George IV:
The performance in the music hall:
https://brightonmuseums.org.uk/royalpavilion/
Today’s picture of the Music Hall:
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