The composer Antonio Salieri has had, as we say, an appalling press. The legend about him being jealous of Mozart’s talents and responsible for his death has been explored, not to say ruthlessly exploited, in works by Pushkin, Rimsky-Korsakov and Peter Shaffer, so that he is now commonly regarded as a third rate composer and as a musical pariah. Julian Williamson’s course aims to set the record straight. He will show that Salieri was in fact one of the most important musicians in Europe over a period of half a century, writing more than forty fine operas which regularly filled the major European opera theatres and occupying the highest musical posts in Vienna. And he was hugely respected by his peers. This is an unmissable exploration of a great man, a major career and some very fine music.

The residential course fee includes comfortable accommodation and all meals, while non-residents take lunch and supper. En-suite accommodation is available for a reasonable supplement.

Benslow Music is renowned for its accessibility (just 30 minutes from London King’s Cross by train), its tranquillity and its home-from-home friendly hospitality. It’s the perfect place for a couple of days’ intensive work in a mutually supportive atmosphere.