How A French Grand Opera About A Rebellion In Naples Sparked A Revolution In Brussels

“Indeed, the musical performance had invigorated the crowd. The audience passionately chanted patriotic slogans, stormed into government buildings, and began destroying factory machinery. Within days, they were flying the flag of Independent Belgium, which was tied to a standard with shoelaces.” Lucas Reilly recounts the story of William I of the United Kingdom of the Netherlands, Daniel Auber’s La Muette de Portici, and the Belgian Revolution of 1830.