The Judgement of Paris
Music from an intriguing 18th-century opera-composing competition, The Judgement of Paris.
The Early Music Show · BBC Radio 3
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Show Notes
At the turn of the 18th century, a contest was announced in an attempt was made to kick-start the operatic scene in London. The brief was to set an all-sung English opera based on William Congreve's short libretto: The Judgement of Paris. An alluring 100 guineas was promised to the winner, and four contestants entered the competition: John Weldon, John Eccles, Daniel Purcell and Gottfried Finger.
Each entry was given an individual premiere before all four were staged on one night - a grand finale at Dorset Garden Theatre on 3 June 1701. The competition was judged by a public vote... what could possibly go wrong?
Hannah French explores the music and stories of the four entries.