# Christopher Webber

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English musicologist

For the American basketball player, see [Chris Webber](/source/Chris_Webber). For the German bobsledder, see [Christopher Weber](/source/Christopher_Weber).

Christopher Webber

**Christopher Webber** (born 27 May 1953) is an English [musicologist](/source/Musicologist), [dramatist](/source/Dramatist), [actor](/source/Actor), [theatre director](/source/Theatre_director) and [writer](/source/Writer).

## Biography

Webber was born in [Bowdon](/source/Bowdon%2C_Greater_Manchester), [Cheshire](/source/Cheshire) (now [Greater Manchester](/source/Greater_Manchester)) and educated at [The Manchester Grammar School](/source/The_Manchester_Grammar_School) and the [University of Kent at Canterbury](/source/University_of_Kent).[1] Starting his professional career with theatre directing work, for companies such as [Orpheus Opera](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Orpheus_Opera&action=edit&redlink=1) (of which he was Artistic Director 1980–87), [Kent Opera](/source/Kent_Opera), the new [D'Oyly Carte Opera Company](/source/D'Oyly_Carte_Opera_Company) in Britain and the USA, and various other English companies, he soon broadened his portfolio to include musical journalism, as Opera and Classical Music Editor for [Richard Branson](/source/Richard_Branson)'s [Event Magazine](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Event_Magazine&action=edit&redlink=1), as well as [Music and Musicians](/source/Music_and_Musicians) Magazine.[2]

As a writer, his early work included *Bluff Your Way at the Races* (Ravette) as well as many opera translations into English. Play commissions soon followed, beginning with a new English version of [Sophocles](/source/Sophocles)'s *[Philoctetes](/source/Philoctetes)* written for [Offstage Downstairs](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Offstage_Downstairs&action=edit&redlink=1). Later successes include *Tatyana* commissioned by Nottingham Playhouse, with [Josie Lawrence](/source/Josie_Lawrence) in the title role, and [Beverly Klein](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Beverly_Klein&action=edit&redlink=1) as her sister Olga;[3] *[Dr Sullivan and Mr Gilbert](/source/Dr_Sullivan_and_Mr_Gilbert)* ([Mull Theatre](/source/Mull_Theatre),[4] revived at [Glasgow Citizens' Theatre](/source/Glasgow_Citizens'_Theatre) and on tour throughout Scotland[5]); and *Green Tea*, shortlisted for a Guinness Prize.

He is an authority on the Spanish [zarzuela](/source/Zarzuela),[6] and his book *The Zarzuela Companion* ([Scarecrow Press](/source/Scarecrow_Press) 2002, Foreword by [Plácido Domingo](/source/Pl%C3%A1cido_Domingo)) is a standard English work on the subject.[7] He contributed the chapter on zarzuela to *The Cambridge Companion to Operetta* ([Cambridge University Press](/source/Cambridge_University_Press) 2019);[8] has written on [Hispanic](/source/Music_of_Spain) and [Portuguese](/source/Music_of_Portugal) Music for *[The Oxford Companion to Music](/source/The_Oxford_Companion_to_Music)*, *[Opera Magazine](/source/Opera_Magazine)*,[9] *[Opera Now](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Opera_Now&action=edit&redlink=1)*,[10] [Royal Opera](/source/Royal_Opera_House) [Covent Garden](/source/Covent_Garden)[11] and many other publications; has provided programme notes and translations for many concert and festival organisations including the [New York Philharmonic Orchestra](/source/New_York_Philharmonic_Orchestra),[12] [Wexford Festival](/source/Wexford_Festival)[13] and [Edinburgh Festival](/source/Edinburgh_Festival);[14] and been Visiting Lecturer on the subject at various academic institutions, including the [University of Tübingen](/source/University_of_T%C3%BCbingen)[15] and [University of Valencia](/source/University_of_Valencia).[16] For [Oxford University Press](/source/Oxford_University_Press)'s Bibliographies project, he wrote and curates the [article on zarzuela (2016)](http://www.oxfordbibliographies.com/view/document/obo-9780199757824/obo-9780199757824-0162.xml). In December 2022, he was appointed Editor (with Enrique Mejías García) of the *[Cambridge](/source/Cambridge_University) History of Spanish Opera and Music Theatre*.

He is also an advisory editor and contributor to the *[Oxford Dictionary of National Biography](/source/Oxford_Dictionary_of_National_Biography)*, having written over fifty entries including those on his Manchester Grammar School contemporary [Steven Pimlott](/source/Steven_Pimlott),[17] [Sir Jimmy Young](/source/Jimmy_Young_(broadcaster))[18] and [Joyce Hatto](/source/Joyce_Hatto).[19] Webber has since been featured on British TV's [Channel 4](/source/Channel_4) and [BBC Radio 4](/source/BBC_Radio_4), in documentaries about Hatto, "the fraudster pianist".[20][21]

As an actor, he has worked in England's West End and Repertory Theatre, creating the role of Owl in the first stage version of *[Winnie-the-Pooh](/source/Winnie-the-Pooh)* (London [Royalty Theatre](/source/Royalty_Theatre) and national tour) and taking part in world and/or international premières of plays by [Alan Ayckbourn](/source/Alan_Ayckbourn)[22] and [Alan Bennett](/source/Alan_Bennett)[23][24] amongst others. He has also been an exponent in the field of corporate and medical professional actor-based [roleplaying](/source/Roleplaying), especially noted for his work on development of feedback techniques, including his formulation of [Advocate Feedback](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Advocate_Feedback&action=edit&redlink=1).[25]

## Plays

- *[Philoctetes](/source/Philoctetes_(Sophocles_play))* (1987, based on [Sophocles](/source/Sophocles))

- *[Green Isle](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Green_Isle_(play)&action=edit&redlink=1)* (1989)

- *[Love and Politics](/source/Love_and_Politics_(play))* (1990, based on [Schiller](/source/Schiller)'s [Kabale und Liebe](/source/Kabale_und_Liebe))

- *[Tatyana](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Tatyana_(play)&action=edit&redlink=1)* (1990)

- *[Birth of an Opera, Death of a Composer](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Birth_of_an_Opera,_Death_of_a_Composer_(play)&action=edit&redlink=1)* (1990)

- *[Green Tea](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Green_Tea_(play)&action=edit&redlink=1)* (1993, rev. 2000) (Couthurst Press 2000, [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [1-902819-01-2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/1-902819-01-2))

- *[Dr Sullivan and Mr Gilbert](/source/Dr_Sullivan_and_Mr_Gilbert_(play))* (1993) (Couthurst Press 2001, [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [1-902819-00-4](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/1-902819-00-4))

- *[Mozart and Salieri](/source/Mozart_and_Salieri_(play))* (1993, after [Pushkin](/source/Pushkin))

- *[A Flower and a Kiss](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=A_Flower_and_a_Kiss_(play)&action=edit&redlink=1)* (commissioned [Welsh National Opera](/source/Welsh_National_Opera), 1995)

- *[The Girl with the Roses](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_Girl_with_the_Roses_(zarzuela)&action=edit&redlink=1)* (1999, after [Pablo Sorozábal](/source/Pablo_Soroz%C3%A1bal)'s [La del manojo de rosas](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=La_del_manojo_de_rosas&action=edit&redlink=1))

- *[The Stronger](/source/The_Stronger)* (2010, zarzuela after [Strindberg](/source/Strindberg), with [Derek Barnes](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Derek_Barnes&action=edit&redlink=1) *composer*)

## Books

- *[Bluff Your Way in Opera](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Bluff_Your_Way_in_Opera&action=edit&redlink=1)* (Ravette, 1989, with [Peter Gammond](/source/Peter_Gammond))

- *[Bluff Your Way At the Races](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Bluff_Your_Way_At_the_Races&action=edit&redlink=1)* (Ravette, 1990)

- *[The Zarzuela Companion](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_Zarzuela_Companion&action=edit&redlink=1)* (Scarecrow Press Inc., 2002) Lib. Cong. 2002110168 / [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-8108-4447-8](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-8108-4447-8)

- *[The Oxford Companion to Music](/source/The_Oxford_Companion_to_Music)* (OUP, 2002 ed. [Alison Latham](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Alison_Latham&action=edit&redlink=1); major contributor)

- *[Zarzuela!](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Zarzuela!&action=edit&redlink=1)* (UME, from 2001 [4*vols.*] ed.)

- 'The alcalde, the negro and la bribona: género ínfimo zarzuela, 1900–1910' in *[De la zarzuela al cine. Los medios de comunicación populares y su traducción de la voz marginal](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=De_la_zarzuela_al_cine._Los_medios_de_comunicaci%C3%B3n_populares_y_su_traducci%C3%B3n_de_la_voz_marginal&action=edit&redlink=1)* (München, Martin Meidenbauer, 2010 ed. Max Doppelbauer and Kathrin Sartingen) [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-3-89975-208-3](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-3-89975-208-3)

- 'Chapí, "el gran camaleón"' in *Ruperto Chapí: nuevas perspectivas Vol.1* (Valencia, Institut de la Música, 2012 ed. Víctor Sánchez Sánchez *et al.*) [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-84-482-5798-9](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-84-482-5798-9)

- 'Under the Influence: Pablo Luna and opereta española' in *[El teatro de arte](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=El_teatro_de_arte&action=edit&redlink=1)* (Madrid, Fundación Guerrero, 2016 ed. Alberto González Lapuente and Alberto Honrado Pinilla) [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-84-617-4100-7](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-84-617-4100-7)

- 'Zarzuela', Chapter 8 in *So You Want to Sing Light Opera* (Washington DC, Rowman & Littlefield, 2017 ed. Linda Lister) [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [9781442269385](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9781442269385)

- 'Spain and Zarzuela' in *[The Cambridge Companion to Operetta](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_Cambridge_Companion_to_Operetta&action=edit&redlink=1)* (Cambridge, University Press, 2019 ed. Anastasia Belina and Derek B. Scott) [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [9781107182165](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9781107182165)

- '¿Fruta podrida? Nuevas perspectivas sobre la zarzuela ínfima en Madrid (1900-1912)' in *Música, escena y cine (1896-1978): diálogos y sinergias en la España del siglo XX* (Hispanic Music Series 5, Universidad de Oviedo, 2021 ed. Miriam Perandones and María Encina Cortizo) [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [9788418482229](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9788418482229)

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** The Oxford Companion to Music (OUP, 2002 ed. Alison Latham; major contributors, biographical section)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** Biographical profile, Opera Magazine (London, July 1992)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["Derek Barnes"](http://www.chiuni.ac.uk/music/DerekBarnes.cfm). Chiuni.ac.uk. Retrieved 19 October 2011.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** Mull Theatre, July–September 1993

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** Glasgow Citizens Theatre May 1998, tour May–August 1998

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["La zarzuela se hace inglesa · ELPAÍS.com"](http://www.elpais.com/articulo/cultura/SOROZABAL_MARIEZCURRENA/_PABLO_/COMPOSITOR/CAMPBELL/_RORY_/ACTOR_Y_CANTANTE/MURPHY/_KATRINA_/ACTRIZ_Y_CANTANTE/WEBBER/_CHRISTOPHER_/MUSICA/elpepicul/19990829elpepicul_6/Tes). *El País*. Elpais.com. 29 August 1999. Retrieved 19 October 2011.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["New Zarzuela book, December 2002"](http://www.zarzuela.net/cd/book/newbooks.htm#q). Zarzuela.net. Retrieved 19 October 2011.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [9781316856024](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9781316856024), [https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/cambridge-companion-to-operetta/3DF7A4F1A63E892DA5E54273A507F44F](https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/cambridge-companion-to-operetta/3DF7A4F1A63E892DA5E54273A507F44F)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** most recent, Opera Magazine (London, September 2019; October 2019 et al.)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** 'Say Hola to Zarzuela' (London, March 2013)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** Plácido Domingo, Royal Opera House Gala, London February 1999

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** ["New York Philharmonic: Plácido Domingo and the New York Philharmonic"](https://web.archive.org/web/20120406023943/http://nyphil.org/meet/archive/index.cfm?page=eventDetail&eventNum=2372&seasonNum=10). Nyphil.org. Archived from [the original](http://nyphil.org/meet/archive/index.cfm?page=eventDetail&eventNum=2372&seasonNum=10) on 6 April 2012. Retrieved 19 October 2011.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** ["Don Quichotte"](https://www.wexfordopera.com/programme/event/don-quichotte/). 21 July 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** "La verbena de la Paloma", Kings Theatre Edinburgh, August 1997

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** ["Archived copy"](https://web.archive.org/web/20120315153246/http://www.uni-tuebingen.de/hispanistentag/Sektion06.pdf) (PDF). Archived from [the original](https://uni-tuebingen.de/hispanistentag/Sektion06.pdf) (PDF) on 15 March 2012. Retrieved 30 July 2011.{{[cite web](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cite_web)}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_archived_copy_as_title))

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** ["Congreso Internacional Ruperto Chapí"](http://www.ivm.gva.es/cms/es/documentos-ruperto-chapi.html). Ivm.gva.es. Retrieved 19 October 2011.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** ["Steven Pimlott"](http://www.oxforddnb.com/index/101098609/Steven-Pimlott). Oxforddnb.com. Retrieved 19 October 2011.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** ["Sir Leslie Ronald (Jimmy) Young"](https://www.oxforddnb.com/display/10.1093/ref:odnb/9780198614128.001.0001/odnb-9780198614128-e-111539). Oxfordddnb.com. Retrieved 27 April 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-19)** ["Joyce Hatto"](http://www.oxforddnb.com/index/101097307/Joyce-Hatto). Oxforddnb.com. Retrieved 19 October 2011.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-20)** ["The Great Piano Scam"](http://www.channel4.com/programmes/the-great-piano-scam). Channel 4. Retrieved 19 October 2011.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-21)** ["Radio 4 Programmes – Who Was Joyce Hatto?"](https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00tt6f6). BBC. 21 September 2010. Retrieved 19 October 2011.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-22)** ["Alan Ayckbourn Plays: A Word From Our Sponsor"](http://awordfromoursponsor.alanayckbourn.net/). Awordfromoursponsor.alanayckbourn.net. 20 April 1995. Retrieved 19 October 2011.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-23)** "Talking Heads", Mull Theatre (UK Repertory Premiere, June–September 1993)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-24)** "Talking Heads", English Theatre Berlin, January–March 2001

1. **[^](#cite_ref-25)** Andrew Baguley, ["RolePlays - for training"](https://web.archive.org/web/20120119014509/http://www.roleplaysfortraining.co.uk/). Archived from [the original](http://www.roleplaysfortraining.co.uk/) on 19 January 2012. Retrieved 30 July 2011.

## External links

Wikiquote has quotations related to ***[Christopher Webber](https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Special:Search/Christopher_Webber)***.

- [Christopher Webber](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0916358/) at [IMDb](/source/IMDb_(identifier))

- [\[1\]](http://www.zarzuela.net/bio/cdw.htm) Zarzuela.Net website (founder/editor) – biographical page

- [\[2\]](http://www.musicweb-international.com/bax/index.html) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20140708235223/http://www.musicweb-international.com/bax/index.html) 8 July 2014 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine) Sir Arnold Bax website (major contributor)

Authority control databases International ISNI VIAF GND WorldCat National United States France BnF data Czech Republic Norway Israel Artists FID People Deutsche Biographie Other IdRef Yale LUX

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Christopher Webber](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christopher_Webber) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christopher_Webber?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.