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Venus and Adonis

Alternative title
Masque for the Entertainment of the King, A
Synopsis
Last of a four-part programme prepared by by Anthony Lewis showcasing the music of English Baroque composer John Blow. This episode focuses on Blow’s miniature opera that is based on the classical fable of Venus and Adonis. Anthony Lewis conducts the Boyd Neel Orchestra, the BBC Chorus and the Choristers from the London School. With Arnold Goldsbrough playing the harpsichord.
Series
John Blow
Language
English
Country
Great Britain
Medium
Radio
Transmission details
2 Mar 1949 at 21:40 (Channel: BBC Third Programme)
Duration
50 mins
Availability
No archive copy known

Credits

Music
John Blow
Contributor
Anthony Lewis
Cast
Alfred HepworthHuntsman
Alfred HepworthShepherd
Margaret Field-HydeCupid
Nancy EvansVenus
Trevor AnthonyAdonis

Additional Details

Production type
Operas and Musicals
Subjects
Drama; Music
Keywords
Shakespeare, William (1564-1616)

Notes

General
John Blow allegedly wrote this opera around 1682 for Moll Davies and her daughter, Lady Mary Tudor, both of whom also performed in it. The piece is usually classified either as a semi-opera or a masque, but The New Grove Dictionary of Music lists it as the earliest surviving English opera.
Textual information
The author of the libretto is unknown, but Aphra Behn seems to be a likely candidate.

Production Company

Name

BBC

Notes
The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

Record Stats

This record has been viewed 448 times.