We are in for a treat at the society’s next meeting when Sandy Burnett, one of the UK’s most versatile music commentators, will provide a joyous overview of opera. He will take in the origins of Italian opera in the early 17th century and the opulent spectacles in France during the reign of Louis XIV before poking his nose into European opera houses in the Baroque era. He will then examine the legacy of two 19th century creative giants, Giuseppe Verdi and Richard Wagner, before taking us to our own time. Sandy, a sought-after double bass player, has been a music director for the Royal Shakespeare Company, the National Theatre and London West End theatres and for a decade was one of the core presenters on BBC Radio 3. Visitors £7.