MUS 328H The Birth of the Public: Music and Society in Eighteenth-Century England
The eighteenth century witnessed tremendous change in almost every aspect of British life: The political system gradually shifted from the ideal of an absolute monarch and sovereign upper class to a more democratized parliament led by a prime minister, and the middle class emerged as a potent social force, transforming economic and cultural institutions. This course investigates these changes in eighteenth-century British society through the lens of music, focusing especially on the institutions in which music was heard, from opera houses and concert halls to pleasure gardens and coffee houses, and the practices by which music was consumed. As the century progressed, musical patronage shifted from a model in which music and musicians were supported by the upper class for its own benefit to one in which financial support came primarily from the general public, leading to models of musical consumption that are still with us today. Specific topics covered in the course include the political, religious, and social functions of Handel's operas and oratorios, the rise of public concerts, the changing nature of audiences across the century, and Haydn's London concerts in the 1790s. The final project is an original research paper, which need not focus on music provided that it engages with the broad themes covered in the course. Open to all students in the university; no prerequisites, and ability to read music not required. This is a section for Honors students that will meet concurrently with MUS 328. Several separate sessions with the instructor will be scheduled to go over additional assignments.
Cross Listed Courses
MUS 328 & MUS 328H
Prerequisite
Open only to students in the University Honors Program