SearchGetRecordWillis's Rooms (1810)
Collection Summary
Collection Title
Willis's Rooms (1810)
Unique Identifier
Case 61.g.18
Description
A collection comprising the prospectus, programmes and wordbooks for six subscription concerts given by Elizabeth Billington, John Braham and Giuseppi Naldi on 10, 17, 21 and 28 May and 1 and 6 June 1810 at Willis's Rooms, London, held as a single bound volume with MS notes by Sir George Smart.
These were two-part miscellaneous concerts, consisting principally of vocal music but with an orchestral overture/symphony at the beginning of each act and a solo/concertante instrumental piece in each part. The second part of the fifth concert is made up entirely of a 'Selection from the Opera of L'Arbore di Diana, (MS.). Composed by Vincenzo Martini'.
The concerts were given with the vocalists Mrs Billington, Mrs Ashe, Miss D'Arby, Miss Melville and Miss Hughes; Mr Naldi, Mr Goss, Mr Vaughan, Mr Bellamy and Mr Braham, led by Mr Charles Weichsel and conducted by Sir George Smart. The instrumental department is described as 'complete, and sustained by the first professors'.
The wordbooks contain annotations in Smart's hand. These detail alterations to the printed programme (particularly those resulting from the lateness or non-appearance of a performer, or from the lack of performing material), indicate which pieces were encored, and record the timings for the performance.
Smart also provides information regarding the suppliers of the performance parts (including much orchestral repertory from John Sterland) and about the attendance record of the performers, noting that on a number of occasions there would appear to have been a conflict of interests with the opera house.
Smart's notes may also be used to identify some of the less fully described works, particularly those recorded simply as 'finale'.
These were two-part miscellaneous concerts, consisting principally of vocal music but with an orchestral overture/symphony at the beginning of each act and a solo/concertante instrumental piece in each part. The second part of the fifth concert is made up entirely of a 'Selection from the Opera of L'Arbore di Diana, (MS.). Composed by Vincenzo Martini'.
The concerts were given with the vocalists Mrs Billington, Mrs Ashe, Miss D'Arby, Miss Melville and Miss Hughes; Mr Naldi, Mr Goss, Mr Vaughan, Mr Bellamy and Mr Braham, led by Mr Charles Weichsel and conducted by Sir George Smart. The instrumental department is described as 'complete, and sustained by the first professors'.
The wordbooks contain annotations in Smart's hand. These detail alterations to the printed programme (particularly those resulting from the lateness or non-appearance of a performer, or from the lack of performing material), indicate which pieces were encored, and record the timings for the performance.
Smart also provides information regarding the suppliers of the performance parts (including much orchestral repertory from John Sterland) and about the attendance record of the performers, noting that on a number of occasions there would appear to have been a conflict of interests with the opera house.
Smart's notes may also be used to identify some of the less fully described works, particularly those recorded simply as 'finale'.
Format
Date range of collection
1810 - 1810
Accumulation Dates
-
Suggested Audience
Not Specific
Associated People or Organisations
Associated Places
Associated Times
This collection is about
Location Details
British Library
The British Library
St Pancras
,96 Euston Road
London
NW1 2DB United Kingdom Open Map
Website
Email
reader-admissions@bl.uk
Telephone
+44 (0)870 444 1500
Visiting Information
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Collections Overview
The Library's collection of song and piano sheet music is one of the most comprehensive of its kind, providing a valuable insight into Victorian society and culture as well as the music itself.
For details of other collections held at the same location: See the location record
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