John Frederick Lampe’s The Dragon of Wantley was a smashing success at its 1737 premiere at the Haymarket Theater in London. It ran for a record 69 performances and held the stage for another 45 years. The absurd story is a send-up of Handel's serious Italian operas (such as Serse and Ariodante), but the music is utterly charming. Don’t miss this rare opportunity to hear Lampe’s pièce de résistance.

Like Handel, Lampe was a German composer who settled in England. He performed as a bassoonist in London’s busy opera orchestras. As a composer he partnered with English poets who sought to develop a viable alternative to the Italian opera seria. Eventually he found that his true métier was musical satire.

Performances:

Sunday, October 27 at 5:30pm
Tuesday, October 29 at 7:30pm

Studebaker Theater
410 S Michigan Ave
Chicago, IL 60605

Tickets: $30 - $95

*Please note that the balcony seating is not handicap accessible