Where does Mozart begin – and cease – to be Mozart? How does written notation relate to what we hear? What does the composer do to empower the performer? This concert explores these questions through familiar music and lesser-known selections from ‘belcanto’ operas by Mozart, Bellini, Rossini, and Verdi. Our purpose in this programme is to expand and challenge widespread perceptions of balances of power between composer and performer in western ‘classical’ music. Exploring this repertoire, we shine the spotlight onto the creative contribution that performers, especially singers, can give to the rendition of canonic repertoire.
