Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1803 edition. Excerpt: ... tonishiiig musical powers possessed by Nicolinij Farinelli, Gabrielli, Carestini, Giardini, Rubinelli, Marchesi, and a multitude of others, has long pervaded the civilized world. The year 1784 was rendered a memorable era in the annals of music, by the splendid and magnificent manner in which the birth and genius of HanDel were celebrated in Westminster Abbey, and the Pantheon, under the immediate auspices of the King and Queen of Great-Britain, and the other most dignified personages in the kingdom. This commemoration has been since established as an annual musical festival, for charitable purposes.1 The number and excellence of the performers engaged in this commemoration, and the style of the music exhibited by them, may be safely pronounced to have exceeded every thing of the kind of which the history of the art gives us any account/ ARCHITECTURE. In this art the last century presents little which, by the attentive inquirer, can be considered as remarkable. Many noble specimens of architecture have been produced during this period, but probably few if any of these are equal to some of the productions of former times. There appear to be two circumstances in the architectural history of the eighteenth century, in which it differs from that of preceding ages. The first is, that the Public buildings erected during this period will be found, in general, less grand and massy than those of some former periods. K lincyclapadia Britann'tca, art. Music. y In 1784 this commemoration was celebrated by 500 voices and instruments; in 1785, by 616; in 1786, by 741; in 1787, by 806. These performers were, in general, of the very first class, collected from every part f Europe. But while they fall short in splendour and magnificence, they are..."
