Haydn’s English widow
A performance of Franz Joseph Haydn’s Canzonettas
27 November 2009
Odeion
19:30

The UFS Department of Music presents this special concert as a conclusion to the commemoration of Haydn’s death 200 years ago.

During Haydn’s first visit to London in 1791, he befriended two charming widows who were well placed in the social scene of the day. The first, Anne Hunter, was a poet whose poems reflect early Romantic sentiments and were set to music by Haydn. The second was Rebecca Schroeter, an independent woman of musical taste and talent who became Haydn’s “dearest love”.

This concert is a performance of the Anne Hunter Songs given by the soprano Deirdré Blignaut with John Reid Coulter playing the fortepiano. The narrator, Anna Stoddard interweaves the story of Haydn’s love affair into the programme, revealing more of the unconventional life of Rebecca Schroeter and the scandalous atmosphere of Georgian London.

Admission:
Free

Enquiries and bookings:
Ninette Pretorius (tel. 051 - 401 2504)