The Concerts of Antient Music, also known as the ''Ancient Concerts'' or ''The King's Concerts'', were an influential concert series put on annually in London from 1776 to 1848. The concerts consisted solely of music composed at least twenty years previous (although sometimes revised for the tastes or instrumentation of the time). The concerts had aristocratic or royal sponsorship and featured some of the best musicians of the day. At first twelve concerts were given each year; in 1785 a thirteenth concert, a performance of

Handel George Frideric (or Frederick) Handel (; baptised , ; 23 February 1685 – 14 April 1759) was a German-British Baroque composer well known for his operas, oratorios, anthems, concerti grossi, and organ concertos. Handel received his training i ...

's ''Messiah'' to benefit retired musicians, was added at King George III's command. The founding committee in 1776 included the Earl of Sandwich, the Earl of Exeter, the

Viscount Dudley and Ward Earl of Dudley, of Dudley Castle in the County of Stafford (now the West Midlands), is a title that has been created twice in the Peerage of the United Kingdom, both times for members of the Ward family. History Dudley was first used for a pe ...

, and John Egerton, the Bishop of Durham. From the year 1785 the royal family was usually in attendance, and patronized the concerts as well. King George III personally wrote out the programmes, and in the later years

Prince Albert Prince Albert most commonly refers to: *Albert, Prince Consort (1819–1861), consort of Queen Victoria *Albert II, Prince of Monaco (born 1958), present head of state of Monaco Prince Albert may also refer to: Royalty * Albert I of Belgium ...

was one of the directors. The programmes at first consisted mostly of

, with a few works by Corelli, Geminiani, Charles Avison, and others. After 1826 the concerts added works by Mozart and a greater variety of other composers; Beethoven's works appeared after 1835. Dictionary of Music and Musicians, ed. George Grove, 1900, entry "Ancient Concerts" The concerts were first held in the New Rooms on Tottenham Street, later known as the Queen's or West London Theatre. In 1795 they were moved to a concert hall at the Opera House, and then in 1804 to the Hanover Square Rooms.

Notable musicians involved with the concerts

*Conductors:

Joah Bates Joah Bates ( – 8 June 1799) was an English musician. Life Joah Bates was baptized at the parish church in Halifax, West Yorkshire, Halifax on 8 March 1740 Old Style and New Style dates, O.S. (8 March 1741 Old Style and New Style dates, N.S.). ...

(1776-1793),

Thomas Greatorex Thomas Greatorex (5 October 1758 – 18 July 1831) was an English composer, astronomer and mathematician. As well as being organist of Westminster Abbey, he was a Fellow of the Royal Society. Career Born in Wingfield near Chesterfield, Derbyshi ...

(1793-1831), William Knyvett (1832–39), Henry Bishop (1843-8) (Sir George Smart, Henry Bishop, Charles Lucas, and James Turle conducted concerts in 1840-3, when the series was without a permanent conductor.) *Orchestra leaders: Wilhelm Cramer (1780-1799) *Organist: Charles Lucas (1841-8) *Singers:

Harriett Abrams Harriett Abrams ( 1762 – 8 March 1821, in Torquay) was an English soprano and composer. Particularly praised for her performances in the repertoire of George Frideric Handel, Abrams enjoyed a successful concert career in London during the 1780s. ...

Brigida Banti Brigida Banti (; 1757–1806), best known by her husband's surname and her stage-name, as Brigida Banti, was an Italian soprano. Biography Obscure beginnings Her origins are rather obscure and the data on her birth are very dubious: she i ...

, James Bartleman,

Elizabeth Billington Elizabeth Billington (27 December 1765, in London25 August 1818, in Venice) was a British opera singer. Life She was born on 27 December 1765 in Litchfield Street, Soho, London. She was the daughter of Carl Weichsel, a native of Freiberg, in ...

Anna Bishop Anna Bishop (9 January 181018 March 1884) was an English operatic soprano. She sang in many countries on every continent, and was the most widely travelled singer of the 19th century.John Braham, Angelica Catalani, Samuel Thomas Champnes, Michael Kelly, Gertrud Elisabeth Mara,

Maria Frances Parke Maria Frances Parke (26 August 1772 – 31 July 1822) was an English soprano, pianist and composer of keyboard works. Parke was born in London. Her father was the oboist John Parke, while her uncle was the oboist and composer William Thomas Parke ...

, Catherine Stephens,

Eliza Salmon Eliza Salmon (1787 – 1849) was an English vocalist. Life Salmon was born at Oxford in 1787, her father was named Munday and had a musical background. Her mother's brothers, John Mahon (b. 1746) and William Mahon (1753–1816), were noted c ...

Jane Shirreff Jane Shirreff (1808-1883) was a British soprano opera singer and stage actress. She was described as America's "most admired prima donna between the days of Mrs. Wood and those of Louisa Pyne". Early life and education As a young woman, Shir ...

Nancy Storace Anna (or Ann) Selina Storace (; 27 October 176524 August 1817), known professionally as Nancy Storace, was an English operatic soprano. The role of Susanna in Mozart's '' Le nozze di Figaro'' was written for and first performed by her. Born in ...

*Instrumentalists:

John Crosdill John Crosdill (1751–1825) was an English musician, cellist and violist. Biography Crosdill was born in London, England and was the son of violoncellist Richard Crosdill (1698–1790) with whom he is sometimes confused. John Crosdill, along w ...

, Domenico Dragonetti,

John Ella John Ella (1802–1888) was an English violinist and director of concerts. Early life Ella was born Leicester 19 December 1802, baptism at St. Martins, now Leicester Cathedral, his parents buried there. He was intended by his father, Richard E ...

Frantisek Kotzwara František Kočvara, known later in England as Frantisek Kotzwara (1730 – September 2, 1791), was a Czech violist, virtuoso double bassist and composer. His death was one of the first recorded instances of death by erotic asphyxiation. Li ...

Nicolas Mori Nicolas Mori (24 January 1796 – 14 June 1839) was an Anglo-Italian violinist, music publisher and conductor. Once regarded as the finest violinist in Europe, Mori was somewhat overshadowed by the rise of Paganini. Life Born in London, the son ...

. In 1847

Felix Mendelssohn Jakob Ludwig Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy (3 February 18094 November 1847), born and widely known as Felix Mendelssohn, was a German composer, pianist, organist and conductor of the early Romantic period. Mendelssohn's compositions include sy ...

performed solo on the organ the ''Prelude and Fugue in B-flat major on the name B-A-C-H'' attributed at the time to Bach. Much of the music from these concerts was presented to the Royal College of Music by Queen Victoria, where it now forms part of the College's extensive collections.

References

British music history Concerts in the United Kingdom Early music

Notable musicians involved with the concerts

See also

References