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Zoom Talk, National event

Men Behaving Badly (Mozart and da Ponte)

Discover the most sublime of all Mozart’s operas which he wrote alongside the celebrated and infamous librettist, Lorenzo Da Ponte. 

Opera expert Helen Astrid reveals the legends, influences and shocking truths about this collaboration and how they managed to write three magnificent operas: Le Nozze di Figaro, Don Giovanni and Cosi fan Tutte, composed during the 18th Century. 

Using some fine audio samples and visual examples, you will no doubt develop your understanding and appreciation of these fine works as well as raise a few eyebrows at the astonishing anecdotes. 

After graduating from the Royal Academy of Music, Helen performed as a soprano soloist at most of the major venues in the UK including English National Opera, Linbury Theatre Royal Opera House, Garsington Opera Festival and Chelsea Opera Group at the Queen Elizabeth Hall, South Bank.

She regularly appears on television and radio including BBC World News, The Paul O’Grady Show and has given a Ted Talk Tell me the truth about Opera which has been viewed by 1000s. She lectures on the history of opera for Cambridge University, Marlborough College, Imperial College, Benslow Music and the Bishopsgate Institute and Opera Live at Home and for various societies and groups around the UK. To share the beauty of opera and to spread the glory of this magnificent art form is her absolute joy.