Opera of the Nobility
Encyclopedia
The Opera of the Nobility was an opera company set up and funded in 1733 by a group of nobles (under Frederick, Prince of Wales
) opposed to George II of England, in order to rival the Second Royal Academy of Music company under Handel
(backed by George II and his queen).
Nicola Porpora
was invited to be its musical director and Owen Swiny
considered as its talent scout. The company had Senesino
(who had fallen out with Handel) as its lead singer and was based at a theatre at Lincoln's Inn Fields
under John Rich
which had become available on Rich's opening of the Theatre Royal, Covent Garden. The company was not a success in its initial 1733-34 season. Though Farinelli
joined it late in the season and thus made it financially solvent, he was unable to prevent its eventual bankruptcy. At the end of its initial season it took over the King's Theatre
from Handel.
The company went bankrupt and was dissolved 1737 (shortly after appointing Giovanni Battista Pescetti
its musical director), but not before it had poached some of Handel's best singers such as Francesca Cuzzoni
and Antonio Montagnana
and forced his company into bankruptcy too.
Frederick, Prince of Wales
Frederick, Prince of Wales was a member of the House of Hanover and therefore of the Hanoverian and later British Royal Family, the eldest son of George II and father of George III, as well as the great-grandfather of Queen Victoria...
) opposed to George II of England, in order to rival the Second Royal Academy of Music company under Handel
HANDEL
HANDEL was the code-name for the UK's National Attack Warning System in the Cold War. It consisted of a small console consisting of two microphones, lights and gauges. The reason behind this was to provide a back-up if anything failed....
(backed by George II and his queen).
Nicola Porpora
Nicola Porpora
Nicola Porpora was an Italian composer of Baroque operas and teacher of singing, whose most famous singing student was the castrato Farinelli. One of his other students was composer Matteo Capranica.-Biography:Porpora was born in Naples...
was invited to be its musical director and Owen Swiny
Owen Swiny
Owen Swiny was an Irish theatre impressario and art dealer active in London.-Life:Having attended Trinity College, Dublin from 1694, he was working at the Drury Lane Theatre by spring 1703 with Christopher Rich. He also adapted Molière's L'amour médecin as The Quacks, putting it on at the Drury...
considered as its talent scout. The company had Senesino
Senesino
Senesino was a celebrated Italian contralto castrato, particularly remembered today for his long collaboration with the composer George Frideric Handel.-Early life and career:...
(who had fallen out with Handel) as its lead singer and was based at a theatre at Lincoln's Inn Fields
Lincoln's Inn Fields
Lincoln's Inn Fields is the largest public square in London, UK. It was laid out in the 1630s under the initiative of the speculative builder and contractor William Newton, "the first in a long series of entrepreneurs who took a hand in developing London", as Sir Nikolaus Pevsner observes...
under John Rich
John Rich (producer)
John Rich was an important director and theatre manager in 18th century London. He opened the New Theatre at Lincoln's Inn Fields and then the Theatre Royal, Covent Garden and began putting on ever more lavish productions...
which had become available on Rich's opening of the Theatre Royal, Covent Garden. The company was not a success in its initial 1733-34 season. Though Farinelli
Farinelli
Farinelli , was the stage name of Carlo Maria Broschi, celebrated Italian castrato singer of the 18th century and one of the greatest singers in the history of opera.- Early years :...
joined it late in the season and thus made it financially solvent, he was unable to prevent its eventual bankruptcy. At the end of its initial season it took over the King's Theatre
Her Majesty's Theatre
Her Majesty's Theatre is a West End theatre, in Haymarket, City of Westminster, London. The present building was designed by Charles J. Phipps and was constructed in 1897 for actor-manager Herbert Beerbohm Tree, who established the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art at the theatre...
from Handel.
The company went bankrupt and was dissolved 1737 (shortly after appointing Giovanni Battista Pescetti
Giovanni Battista Pescetti
Giovanni Battista Pescetti was an organist and composer. Born in Venice around 1704, he studied under Antonio Lotti for some time...
its musical director), but not before it had poached some of Handel's best singers such as Francesca Cuzzoni
Francesca Cuzzoni
Francesca Cuzzoni was an Italian operatic soprano of the Baroque era.-Early career:Cuzzoni was born in Parma. Her father, Angelo, was a professional violinist, and her singing teacher was Francesco Lanzi. She made her debut in her home city in 1714, singing in La virtù coronata, o Il Fernando by...
and Antonio Montagnana
Antonio Montagnana
Antonio Montagnana was an Italian bass of the 18th-century who is best remembered for his association with the composer George Frideric Handel, whose operas Montagnana sang in....
and forced his company into bankruptcy too.