Musical Reminiscences of An Old Amateur chiefly respecting the Italian Opera in England for fifty years, from 1773 to 1823, The Second Edition, continued to the present time
London: W. Clarke, 1827.
Small octavo. 19th century dark brown leather-backed boards with printed paper title label to spine. 1f. (recto half-title, verso blank), 1f. (recto title, verso printer's note), [v]-vi (Contents), [vii]-xii (Introduction), [13]-183 pp.
A presentation copy, with "From the Author" in manuscript to front free endpaper and "E.A. Moorhead Widey Court 1827" to front pastedown.
Boards worn and detached; spine worn with small portions of head and tail lacking. In very good condition internally.
A scarce and valuable work.
An English opera enthusiast and amateur composer, "Mount Edgcumbe recorded his experiences in Musical Reminiscences of an Old Amateur Chiefly Respecting the Italian Opera in England for Fifty Years, from 1773 to 1823 (London, 1824). Subsequent editions extended the period under discussion ... Frequently his own eye-witness account, the Reminiscences are a valuable complement to contemporary British writings such as those of Charles Burney and William Parke ... His vivid descriptions of the leading singers of the age, several of whom he knew personally, shed light on matters such as the allocation of roles ... He blamed Rossini's works for undermining the golden age of opera, lamenting the popularity of pezzi concertati, the neglect of Metastasian conventions, and changes in vocal styles." George Biddlecombe in Grove Music Online.
Item #37302
Price: $325.00 other currencies