Saraband

A programme exploring the themes and music found in Hogarth's engraving 'The Enraged Musician'

Saraband play both 'highbrow' music represented by the enraged musician himself (most probably the leader of Handel's opera orchestra) as well as music from the streets - the 'lowbrow' ballads and tunes from the contemporary hit phenomenon The Beggars Opera by John Gay.

The noise and filth of the streets of London will be evoked by Robert Maskell's theatrical rendition of John Gay's 'Walking the Streets of London'. He will also take us to the bohemian world of 18th century clubs peopled by such characters as Garrick, Leveridge and Hogarth himself.

Fresh air and moral rectitude will be sought in the Vauxhall pleasure gardens with music by Thomas Arne and finally our attention will turn to the central image of the engraving, the clean and lovely milkmaid.