Famous Victorian operas recalled with gramophone records, by Ronald Hilbome
It would be fairly safe to say that many aspects of the once looked-down-vrpon Victorian era have come into their own during the past year or two. Victorian painters, Victorian novelists, Victorian composers, even, in some cases, the Victorian household furnishers, are being assessed at something like the value many of them deserve.
Apart from the great operas written during the nineteenth century there are others, not perhaps so stately, but nevertheless with charm and character all their own. This afternoon you will hear music from some of these operas, including Maritana, The Bohemian Girl, and The Lily of Killamey.