98. Read the text and explain what problem the text deals with. English music

Much of English musical life is centered in London, but there is considerable activity outside the capital as well. Decentralization is encouraged by the Arts Council of Great Britain.

1. Opera. The two principal opera companies in London are the Royal Opera at Covent Garden and the English National Opera (formerly Sadler’s Wells). There are also more modest companies, such as the English Music Theatre Company, some of which mostly tour outside London. Opera is a feature of several English festivals, including Camden, Aldeburgh and Glyndebourne.

2. Performing groups. Orchestras. London is remarkable for its four major symphony orchestras: the London Symphony (1904), London Philharmonic (1932), Philharmonia (1945), Royal Philharmonic (1946). The BBC Symphony (1930) is based in London and gives public concerts. There are several excellent symphony orchestras outside London, including the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic (1840), and the Halle Orchestra of Manchester (1858).

Chamber orchestras became an important part of London musical life through such groups as the London Chamber Orchestra (1921) and the Boyd Neel Orchestra (1932).

Choruses. Choral performance has been traditional in England for several centuries and remains popular today. Amateur choral societies are common throughout the country. Among the many in London are the Royal Choral Society (1871), the Bach Choir (1875), and the London Bach Society (1946). London also has several excellent chamber choruses. Cathedral choirs are also important elements in English choral music.

Festivals. Music festivals have constituted a flourishing tradition in England since the 18^th century, and they are at present almost innumerable. The Three Choirs Festival, begun around 1715 is one of the oldest in Europe and represents the traditional type of choral festivals. Many British festivals began after World War II. They include the Alderburgh Festival (1948), long dominated by the personality of its founder, Benjamin Britten; the Bach Festival (1948), the English Bach Festival (1963) and others.

Folk music. Most English folk music is closely related to the songs of the dance. Folk songs are usually syllabic and strophic, frequently with a refrain. Two general varieties of folk dance exist: ritual or ceremonial dances, associated with certain seasons of the year and most often performed by costumed groups of men; and country dances, performed at special occasions by both men and women. Dance tunes usually come from folk song. Instruments used in folk music are the pipe and tabor, the small-pipes (a sort of bagpipe), and, especially today, the fiddle, concertina, or melodeon.

99. Find the equivalents.

Хоровые представления являются традиционными много веков, по особым случаям, важная часть жизни Лондона, совершать гастрольное турне за пределами Лондона, хоровая музыка, личность основателя, фольклорная музыка, камерный оркестр, королевский филармонический оркестр.

100. Answer the questions.

1) What are the main opera companies in England?

2) What major symphony orchestras of England could you name?

3) What music festivals are held in Britain?

4) What kind of instruments are used in English folk music?

101. Answer the following grammar questions.

a) Выпишите из текста предложения с конструкцией there is / there are. Поставьте эти предложения в вопросительную и отрицательную форму.

б) Выпишите глаголы в различных видовременных формах, определите эти формы, залог и объясните их употребление.

102. Write an annotation to the text.