Search Help
Back
Collection Description
Collection name
George Smart Collection (1835)
Unique identifier
Case 61.g.19.
Description
A collection comprising the prospectus, programmes and wordbooks for the three morning and two evening performances given between 4 and 8 July 1835 as the Cambridge Commencement Festival, including events making the installation of the Marquis Camden as Chancellor of the University, held as a single bound volume with MS notes by Sir George Smart.
The morning performances took place on 4, 7 and 8 July 1835. Those on 4 and 8 July were held at St. Mary's Church and consisted of sacred music, being Handel, The Messiah (4 July) and a Grand Selection comprising music from J. C. Whitfeld, The Crucifixion, Beethoven, The Mount of Olives and Spohr, The Last Judgement (8 July). That on 7 July was held at Senate House and consisted of the Installation Ode, written by Christopher Wordsworth and set to music by T. A. Walmisley.
Both of the evening performances took place at the Senate House and were two-part miscellaneous concerts, made up primarily of Italian vocal repertory but with an orchestral overture or symphony at the beginning of each act and at the end of the performance, and a concerto/concertante item in each half.
All programmes provide detailed records of the vocal and instrumental soloists (see below) and include a list of the orchestral ensemble, led by Franz Cramer and conducted by Sir George Smart, with Mr T. A. Walmisley (organ).
Vocal: Madame Caradori Allan, Miss Bruce, Miss Wagstaff, and Madame Stockhausen; Mr Sapio, Mr Hobbs, Mr Terrail, Mr Parry, Jun, and Mr Machin (morning performances); plus Mademoiselle Giulietta Grisi, Signor Rubini, and Signor La Blache (evening concerts).
Instrumental: Mr Harper (trumpet), Mr Lindley (cello), Mr Nicholson (flute) and Mr Willamn (clarinet).
The choruses for the morning performances included singers from the Concerts of Ancient Music, the Choral Society in Cambridge, and the choirs of Trinity and King's College Chapels and Ely Cathedral.
All programmes carry annotations in Smart's hand. These record the timings of the performances (complete and of individual sections), alterations/corrections to the printed programmes, and the origins of the performing parts (including indications that many of the vocal pieces were borrowed from the Italian opera house in London). Also recorded are those works receiving encores, those pieces which were rehearsed, and those attending the performances (both performers and audience).
Additional material:
- a handbill for a service held at St Mary's Church on 3 July 1835, which included a sermon by the Right Honourable and Reverend, the Lord Bishop of London, and a performance of an anthem by Kent.
- a handbill entitled 'Exercise for the Degree of Bachelor of Music', performed at St Mary's Church, Cambridge on 5 July 1835, including an Anthem by Edward Dearle. This document carries extensive annotations in Smart's. These describe the exact timings for the proceedings and providing further information regarding those attending (both performers and audience).
- a printed letter used by Smart in engaging players for the festival.
- various materials relating to the Commencement, including miscellaneous printed announcements (published by Jesus Lodge), a handwritten letter from J. C. Whitfeld appointing Smart to decide upon music for the event, and assorted handwritten correspondence to Smart, offering thanks and discussing certain financial matters.
Date range
1835 - 1835
Associated People and Organisations
Whitfeld, John Clarke -
Walmisley, Thomas Attwood -
University of Cambridge -
Spohr, Louis -
Smart, George -
Handel, George Frideric -
Cramer, Franz -
Beethoven, Ludwig van -
Associated Places
Great St. Mary's Church, Cambridge
University of Cambridge: Senate House
Associated Times
19th century - early 1800-1836
Associated Content
Correspondence
Annotations
Timings
Word books
Star Item(s)
Strength(s)
Further details
Viewing the Collection
Internet 24/7
Visiting information
Location details
British Library
The British Library
St Pancras
,96 Euston Road
London
NW1 2DB Open Map
DOMUS
Website
http://www.bl.uk/
Email
Telephone
Fax
Building Information
Collections Overview
See: http://www.bl.uk/music
Display Overview
Star Objects
For details of other collections held at the same location: See the location record
Additional Collection Information
Accrual Status
Legal Status
Custodial History
Related Publications
Management Information (Type)
Collection Owner(s)
Collection Creator(s)
Collection Custodians(s)
