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Lucy Worsley: Mozart's London Odyssey

Lucy Worsley traces the story of the young Mozart's adventures in London. It held the promise of unrivalled musical opportunity, but life was hard for a little boy in a big city.

Lucy Worsley traces the forgotten and fascinating story of the young Mozart's adventures in Georgian London. Arriving in 1764 as an eight-year-old boy, London held the promise of unrivalled musical opportunity. But in telling the tale of Mozart's strange and unexpected encounters, Lucy reveals how life wasn't easy for the little boy in a big bustling city.

With the demands of a royal performance, the humiliation of playing keyboard tricks in a London pub, a near fatal illness and finding himself heckled on the streets, it was a lot for a child to take. But London would prove pivotal, for it was here that the young Mozart made his musical breakthrough, blossoming from a precocious performer into a powerful new composer.

Lucy reveals that it was on British soil that Mozart composed his first ever symphony and, with the help of a bespoke performance, she explores how Mozart's experiences in London inspired his colossal achievement. But what should have earned him rapturous applause and the highest acclaim ended in suspicion, intrigue and accusations of fraud.

58 minutes

On TV

Monday 22:00

Credits

Role Contributor
Presenter Lucy Worsley
Production Company Matchlight
Producer Matthew Hill
Director Matthew Hill
Executive Producer Ross Wilson
Executive Producer Liz Hartford
Assistant Producer Lucy Joyner

Broadcasts

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