Baroque In Dresden

“In the eighteenth century, when a traveller or musician wanted to hear the best musicians – in fact, to go hear the best orchestra in Europe – they went straight to Dresden, the ‘Florence on the Elbe’. This jewel-box of a city was the seat of power of the prodigal electors of Saxony who knew what (or whom) to buy for their musical menagerie. I’m thrilled that my first collaboration with the fine musicians of Manchester Camerata will be reflecting the intense creative activity that was going on in this very special city.” – Mahan Esfahani

Talking Point, 6.30pm

A closer look at this evening’s programme with Baroque specialist and RNCM Academic Tutor David Vickers

Post-concert: ENCORE, 9.30pm

As the seat of power for the wealthy, flamboyant, and fortunately discerning electors of Saxony, Dresden was one of the most distinguished musical and artistic centres of the eighteenth century. Known for its opera house and many churches, the ‘Florence on the Elbé played host to many visiting musicians and was renowned for an equally praiseworthy crop of native composers including Johann Adolf Hasse and Antonio Lotti. Bach&s brilliantly talented and wayward son, Wilhelm Friedemann, won the post of organist at Dresden’s famous Sophienkirche at the age of 23, while the fiercely gifted prodigy Johann Gottlieb Goldberg – a student of both Sebastian and Friedemann – lived as personal keyboardist to the Russian ambassador of the Saxon Court and penned works so well-written that for more than a century they were thought to be by J.S. Bach himself!

Ticket prices

£22, £19.50, £16.50, £9.50

Booking information

Booking available from the RNCM box office direct from 1st September.Telephone the box office on 0161 907 9000

In person, go to The Bridgewater Hall Box Office, Lower Mosley Street, Manchester, M2 3WS