Music and Theatre in Handel's World The Family Papers of James Harris 1732-1780

by Burrows, Donald; Dunhill, Rosemary

• ISBN13: 9780198166542
• ISBN10: 0198166540
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2002-04-25
• Publisher: Oxford University Press

Summary

James Harris (1709-80) was an author of philosophical treatises and an enthusiastic amateur musician who directed the concerts and music festivals at Salisbury for nearly fifty years. His family and social circle had close connections with London's music-making: his brother was a witness toHandel's will, and his correspondents sent him lively reports on all aspects of musical life in the capital-opera, oratorio, concerts, but also about the leading performers, music copyists, and instrument makers. In 1761 Harris became a member of Parliament and thereafter divided his time betweenLondon and Salisbury. His letters and diaries provide an unrivalled record of concert- and theatre-going in London, including exchanges of letters with David Garrick about a production at Drury Lane. As his children grew up an engaging family correspondence emerged. We learn of his daughters'involvement in concerts and amateur theatrical productions; his son, who pursued a diplomatic career, reported on operas, concerts, and plays in the court of Frederick the Great and Catherine the Great. Now, for the first time, it is possible to enjoy in full the lively first-hand descriptions fromHarris's family papers, which contribute fascinating insights into contemporary eighteenth-century musical and theatrical life.

Author Biography

Donald Burrows is Professor of Music at the Open University. He is a founding member of the Handel Institute and a Vice-President of the Handelgesellschaft.

Rosemary Dunhill is County Archivist for Hampshire.

Table of Contents

List of Illustrations	xii
List of Abbreviations	xiv
Introduction	xvii
Presentation of Documents	xxxvi
Mr Handel's Friends, 1732-1759	1	(342)
Public and Family Life, 1760-1780	343	(728)
Appendix 1: Librettos	1071	(21)
Appendix 2: Correspondents and Diary Writers	1092	(35)
Family Trees
Harris and Shaftesbury Families	1124	(1)
Wyndham Family	1125	(1)
Knatchbull Family	1126	(1)
Bibliography	1127	(12)
Index of Persons	1139	(48)
General index	1187