Tasmanian musician and 19th century guitar specialist Claire Angel Bonner presents a captivating musical journey through Napoleon’s Europe in this solo concert featuring works by Sor, Giuliani, Regondi, Coste and Mertz.

“It was the season of Light and the season of Darkness” – Charles Dickens, A tale of two cities

The early to mid 19th century was a time of extraordinary political and social change across Europe.
Dramatic musical change was underway as well, linked to the political climate and artistic and literary ideals of Romanticism.

And the six string guitar was taking its place as a vital social instrument.

Played everywhere, from the streets to the courts, it was in the salons that it truly came into its own, bringing home the music from the opera houses and the concert halls through operatic fantasies and orchestrally inspired works.

This musical journey seeks to bring together the historical events and political figures of the early to mid 19th century in Europe with works by the finest guitarists of the time, focusing on three important musical and political capitals of the time: London, Paris and Vienna.