Main content

The Judgement of Paris

Hannah French explores the music and stories behind an intriguing 18th-century competition to compose a new opera based on William Congreve's libretto, The Judgement of Paris.

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.

Available now

19 minutes

Last on

Sun 20 Mar 2022 14:00
ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 3

More episodes

Previous

A Black History

Next

London International Festival of Early Music

See all episodes from The Early Music Show

Music Played

  • John Eccles

    The Judgement of Paris: Recitative - Air - Chorus (excerpt)

    Performer: John Wallace. Orchestra: English Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: William Boughton.
    • NIMBUS.

  • John Eccles

    The Judgement of Paris (Symphony for Mercury)

    Performer: Crispian Steele‐Perkins. Ensemble: The Parley of Instruments. Director: Peter Holman. Director: Roy Goodman.
    • HYPERION RECORDS.

  • Daniel Purcell

    Symphony for Juno [The Judgement of Paris]

    Singer: Ciara Hendrick. Ensemble: Spiritato!. Director: Julian Perkins.
    • RESONUS.

  • John Eccles

    Symphony for Venus / Hither turn thee Gentle Swain [The Judgement of Paris]

    Singer: Claire Booth. Singer: Lucy Crowe. Singer: Susan Bickley. Ensemble: Early Opera Company. Director: Christian Curnyn.
    • CHANDOS.

  • Gottfried Finger

    Sonata in C major for trumpet, violin continuo

    Performer: Robert Farley. Performer: Theresa Caudle. Ensemble: Orpheus Britannicus. Director: Andrew Arthur.
    • RESONUS.

  • Daniel Purcell

    O what joys does conquest yield / O how glorious [The Judgement of Paris]

    Singer: Amy Freston. Ensemble: Spiritato!. Director: Julian Perkins.
    • RESONUS.

  • John Weldon

    Nature Framed Thee [The Judgement of Paris]

    Performer: Anthony Rooley. Singer: Emma Kirkby.
    • MUSICAL CONCEPTS.

  • John Eccles

    Nature fram'd thee sure for Lovin [The Judgement of Paris]

    Singer: Lucy Crowe. Singer: Benjamin Hulett. Ensemble: Early Opera Company. Director: Christian Curnyn.
    • CHANDOS.

  • John Eccles

    I yield, I yield, O take the Prize [The Judgement of Paris]

    Singer: Lucy Crowe. Singer: Benjamin Hulett. Ensemble: Early Opera Company. Director: Christian Curnyn.
    • CHANDOS.

  • John Eccles

    Hither all ye Graces, all ye Loves [The Judgement of Paris]

    Singer: Lucy Crowe. Singer: Benjamin Hulett. Ensemble: Early Opera Company. Director: Christian Curnyn.
    • CHANDOS.

  • John Eccles

    Ah me! What Refuge now is left me? [Semele]

    Singer: Anna Dennis. Ensemble: Academy of Ancient Music. Ensemble: Cambridge Handel Opera Company. Ensemble: Cambridge Early Music.

  • Thomas Arne

    Venus' Aria [The Judgement of Paris]

    Ensemble: Brook Street Band.
    • Dutton Epoch.

  • Thomas Arne

    Hither all ye graces and Sing; Spread the joyful news [The Judgement of Paris]

    Ensemble: Brook Street Band.
    • Dutton Epoch.

Broadcasts

  • Sun 7 Jun 2020 14:00
    ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 3
  • Sun 20 Mar 2022 14:00
    ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 3

Podcast