Details

'The Musician and Poet walk hand in hand and seem to vie which shall better express that beautiful Contrast of Mirth and Melancholy.' London Daily Post 4 April 1741. L'Allegro, Il Pensero ed Il Moderato was composed by Handel in 1740. The first two parts interweave settings from Milton's two complementary poems, L'Allegro (The Merry Man) and Il Penserose (The Thoughtful Man), celebrating the different joys of two opposed personalities, mirth and melancholy, through images of an idealised English countryside. Part of the Dance Umbrella 97 season. Winner, 1998 Olivier Award for Best New Dance Production. Choral and dance work. Twenty four dancers, 5 singers and a 40 strong chorus (plus full orchestra). Originally performed in 1988 in Brussels, a magnificent vision of Milton's allegorical poems set to Handel's oratorio of 1745. Winner, 1998 Olivier Award for Best New Dance Production.

Creatives/Company

Music: Handel
Lyrics: Milton
Company: Mark Morris Dance Group
Conductor(s): Jane Glover, Jane Glover
Choreographer: Mark Morris
Design: Adrianne Lobel
Lighting: James F Ingalls