PERFORMANCE: The Duel

In 1786 a standoff was held in one of the world’s most lavish palaces. Joseph II (Holy Roman Emperor) set his composers a challenge, pitting the Italian opera style against the German ‘singspiel’. With both pieces performed on the same night, more than pride was at stake. The winner would be feted with commissions and patrons; the loser, fighting for scraps.

In one corner, the established Antonio Salieri set an opera buffa entitled Prima la musica e poi le parole (First the Music, then the Words), and in the other corner the upstart Wolfgang Mozart flew the nationalistic flag with his comedy Der Schauspieldirektor (The Impresario).

For this re-creation, we invite you to get up close and personal in the intimate surrounds of Government House Ballroom with stages at either end, dinner with your friends and a time machine back to the eighteenth century. Decide for yourself who wins – Mozart or Salieri?

ARTISTS: WA Opera | UWA Chamber Musicians

Dates: 12-15 May (7-10pm)

Tickets: $250 (includes dinner and drinks)

https://www.perthconcerthall.com.au/events/event/WAO-the-duel