Opera began in the 16th century and flourished during the 17th and 18th centuries. During the period leading up to the American and French Revolutions, and continuing late into the 19th Century, opera evolved to reflect themes of the Enlightenment and beyond, most popularly in Italy, Germany, France, and Austria.  This pairing of music and theater conveniently made opera the natural and popular form for social and political expression.  (Through his often-censored works, the great Giuseppe Verdi was a driving force for the “risorgimento”, or reunification of Italy – “Viva VERDI” was a common expression in towns across that country.)

These turbulent and exhilarating times produced great political upheaval and great music.   This performance, the first of three this season at the Old Stone House, will feature much of that beautiful music in operatic arias and ensembles with revolutionary themes, curated and performed by soprano Christine Moore, mezzo-soprano Edith Dowd, tenor Nicholas Simpson and baritone Doug Botnick, and pianist and conductor William Hicks leading singers of Lyric Artists of New York, a new New York City-based opera collective.

The performance will include arias and ensembles by Verdi, Berlioz, Rossini, Mozart, Purcell, Giordano, Handel, Beethoven and Meyerbeer, among others.

Click for Tickets available on Brown Paper Tickets:  $20/$15.  Subscribe to all three performances for $45.