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Collection Description
Collection name
Handel Commemoration Concerts (1784, 1786)
Unique identifier
Description
A collection of programmes with words for the five performances given at Westminster Abbey on 26, 27 and 29 May and 3 and 5 June 1784 as the Handel Commemoration Festival, arranged chronologically in a bound volume.
Also, individual programmes and wordbooks for the first and second performances of the Grand Musical Festival of 1786, held on 31 May and 3 June, also at Westminster Abbey.
All of these performances were conducted by Joah Bates, assisted by John Ashley.
In 1784, the performances on 29 May and 5 June were of The Messiah. The remainder were described as 'Selections' of music by Handel. With the exception of that for the second performance, all programmes include lists of the Directors and Assistant Directors of the event and of the choral and orchestral ensembles.
Both programmes for 1786 include lists of the Directors and Assistant Directors of the event and lists of the subscribers to the Royal Society of Musicians. That for the first concert includes a list of the instrumental and choral ensembles whilst the second carries a handwritten record of the total number of performers. The second programme also contains extensive handwritten annotations which provide comments on the performance (including observations on the nature of the pieces and the manner of execution).
Date range
1784 - 1786
Associated People and Organisations
Handel, George Frideric -
Handel Commemorative Festival -
Bates, Joah -
Ashley, John -
Associated Places
Associated Times
18th century - late 1776-1799
Associated Content
Annotations
Word books
List of orchestral players
List of chorus members
Star Item(s)
Strength(s)
Further details
Viewing the Collection
The museum is currently open by appointment only.
Visiting information
Location details
Foundling Museum
40 Brunswick Square
Bloomsbury London WC1N 1AZ United Kingdom Open Map
DOMUS
Website
http://www.foundlingmuseum.org.uk
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Building Information
Collections Overview
The Gerald Coke Handel Collection is an internationally important collection of material relating to Handel and his contemporaries, including manuscripts, printed books and music, libretti, paintings and engravings, memorabilia, art works and ephemera. The Handel collection is open for research Wednesday-Friday, and the display room (with access to recorded music) is open with the rest of the museum Tuesday-Sunday 10-6.
Display Overview
Star Objects
For details of other collections held at the same location: See the location record
Additional Collection Information
Accrual Status
closed
Legal Status
Custodial History
Related Publications
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