Johann Christoph Pepusch, aka John Christopher Pepusch or just plain Dr Pepusch, was born in Berlin in 1677, but moved to England around 1700 where he became a leading light of London’s musical life. In 1726, he was one of the founders of the Academy of Ancient Music and two years later scored his greatest success arranging the music for John Gay’s runaway hit, The Beggar’s Opera. The peak of his career coincided with the rise of the Italian opera in London, and, as his involvement with Gay’s famous lampoon would suggest, Pepusch was strong on the side of those seeking an English alternative to continental excess. Written in 1715, his masque Venus and Adonis looked like it might be just the thing to ‘reconcile Musick to the English Tongue.’ For all its Englishness – and it’s a clear precursor of Handel’s Acis and Galatea – the work is packed with the stock in trade of Italian opera including da capo arias, virtuoso instrumental effects and plenty of accompagnato recitative. So, what’s it like? The immediate observation listening to what is a world-premiere recording on the enterprising Ramée label is how can this melodious and memorable music have… Continue reading…

Along with Claire Edwardes and seven canny composers, the playwright explains how she created a musical Everywoman.

The French conductor, whose Daphnis is our Recording of the Month, explains how symphonic music serves the dance. Continue reading Get unlimited digital access from $4 per month Subscribe Already a subscriber? Log in

Pitch-perfectly performed slice of Aussie queer history still has something to say.

For over a century composers have been drawn to Goethe’s Wilhelm Meister and the enigmatic songs of the waif-like Mignon. Continue reading Get unlimited digital access from $4 per month Subscribe Already a subscriber? Log in

The Polish harpsichordist who redefined her instrument’s contemporary repertoire passes at 77. Continue reading Get unlimited digital access from $4 per month Subscribe Already a subscriber? Log in

Baryshnikov and others rally in defence of Kirill Serebrennikov, who they believe falsely implicated in a million rouble embezzlement.

Novel arrangements see a trio of chamber wizzes shouldering an entire orchestra.

ARCO finished splendidly with an unfinished masterpiece.

Jane Ede and Adrian Tamburini may not look past their sell bys, but they’ve notched up quite a score in Bizet's opera.

One of Australia’s great singing actors on turning the music of the era into a cabaret show and a new CD

Harry Potter writer and Eddie Perfect hope to help breathe new life into the animated musical gorilla.