The happy gathering of musicians associated with the Brandywine Baroque performances March 14-16 , 2025 of “The Lord of the Manor” by William Jackson in collaboration with General John Burgoyne . The Brandywine Baroque production was produced from the harpsichord/vocal score and various word books published in London of the esteemed comic opera in the collection of John Burkhalter member of The Practitioners of Musick. Astonishingly, the Brandywine Baroque performances of “Lord of the Manor” were the first ever given in America.
William Jackson of Exeter (1730-1803) composed “The Lord of the Manor “ to General Burgoyne’s (1722-1792) libretto. This opera was first performed at The Theatre Royal Drury Lane in 1780. Considered Jackson’s most successful dramatic work, “The Lord of the Manor” was one of several plays written by Burgoyne after his defeat in the American War of Independence.
For each of the performances, independent scholar John Burkhalter presented a short talk setting the stage for the delightful entertainment.