Operatic Relations Between Portugal and London During the Napoleonic Period

Abstract

The upheavals of the Napoleonic period led to the breakdown of the usual connections between Italy and Portugal in the supply of opera performers and repertoire. Similar difficulties experienced in England and the military-political ties between England and Portugal at this time led to an extra-ordinary interchange in the area of opera, above all between Lisbon and London. In particular the flow of singers from Lisbon to London in the first decade of the 19th century, and the reverse in the first half of the second decade, had significant repercussions on the repertoire performed. This included the performance of operas by Marcos Portugal introduced by Angelica Catalani to the London public and the first Portuguese performances of Mozart's Così fan tutte, brought from London to Portugal.