History remembers Marie Antoinette as the queen of debt, a fashion icon, an extravagant and reckless young woman whose indifference to the sufferings of her people led to the downfall of the French monarchy. Unbeknownst to many, Maria Antonia (as she was known before her coronation) was highly musically educated at her first court in Vienna. Fuelled by her desire to help the artists she knew in the way that was available to her, she became a pivotal figure in the upheaval of the operatic tradition in Paris during her reign. Antonia, written as an intimate retelling of the lesser-known parts of Marie Antoinette’s life story, explores the queen’s experiences through the music that surrounded her. Expect the beautiful melodies of Gluck, Joseph de Bologne, Piccinni and rare gems by Sacchini and Dussek, performed through the historical acting style of Baroque Gesture for which the opera company Liberata Collective have become known. Music and text are interwoven, using Antonia’s personal letters; revealing the human world behind the courtly facade and illuminating the often fragile space where music and politics meet. Period costumes are generously supported by the Maria Björnson Memorial Trust. Olivia Doutney’s original creation asks audiences to see Antonia, the real woman behind the myth of Marie Antoinette, and to reflect on society’s enduring tendency to scapegoat women for problems arising in systems that restrict their power.