Page:Showell's Dictionary of Birmingham.djvu/170

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158
SHOWELL'S DICTIONARY OF BIRMINGHAM.

of the usual character. Miss Poole and Master Elliott among the vocalists, with Mr. Holmes (bassoonist) and Signor Mariotti (trombone player), were chief of the newly-introduced performers. Receipts, £2,550; profits, £1,470.

1802, September 22 to 24. President, the Earl of Dartmouth. For the first time in this town Haydn's "Creation" was performed, in addition to the "Messiah," &c. Among the vocalists were Madame Dussek, Mrs. Mountain, John Braham {the Braham of undying fame), and Mr. William Knyvett; Mr. François Cramer, leader of the hand (and at every festival until 1843), had with him Andrew Ashe (flautist), Aufossi (double bass), &c., with over 100 in the orchestra. Receipts, £3,820 17s. 0¼d.; profits, £2,380.

1805, Oct. 2 to 4. President, the Earl of Aylesford. The "Messiah" was given tor the first time here with Mozart's accompaniments; part of the "Creation" &c. Mr. Thomas Vaughan was among the singers (and he took part in every Festival until 1840), and Signor Domenico Dragonetti (double bass) and the Brothers Petrides (horn players) with the instruments. Receipts, £4,222; profits, £2,202.

1808, Oct. 5 to 7. President, the Right Hon. Lord Guernsey. Nearly 200 performers, including Master Buggins (a Birmingham boy alto) Mr. J.J. Goss (counter tenor), Signor Joseph Naldi (buffo), and Dr. Crotch, the conductor, organist and pianist. The last-named was a good player when only 3½ years old. Receipts, £5,511 12s.; profits, £3,257.

1811, Oct. 2 to 4. President, Lord Bradford. Madame Catalini, Mrs. Bianchi, and Mr. T. L. Bellamy first appeared here, as well as Mr. Samuel Wesley (John Wesley's nephew), as conductor and organist. Prices again raised, morning tickets being 20s. and 10s., with 10s. 6d. pit and 5s. gallery at Theatre. Receipts, £6,680; profits, £3,629.

1814, Oct. 5 to 7. President, the Earl of Plymouth. Miss Stephens (afterwards Countess of Essex), Miss Travis, Vincent Novello (the publisher of after years), and Griesbach (oboeist), were among the "first appearances." Receipts, £7,171 12s.; profits, £3,629.

1817, Oct. 1 to 3. President, the Hon. Sir Charles Greville, K.C.B. Mrs. Salmon, Madame Camporese, Mr. Hobbs (tenor). Monsieur Drouet (flautist), Mr. T. Harper (trumpet), and Mr. Probin (horn), took part in the performances. Receipts, £8,476; Profits, £4,296 10s.

1820, Oct. 3 to 6. President, the Hon. Heneage Legge. The principal performers included Madame Vestris, Signora Corri, Miss Symonds (a native of this town, and who continued to sing here occasionally for twenty years), Signor Begrez (tenor), Signor Ambrogetti (buffo bass), Mr. R. N. C. Bocusa (harpist), Mr. Sha(illegible text)gool (violinist), Mr. Stanier (flautist), and Mr. Munde (viola player). The last two gentlemen were connected with this town until very late years. The chief novelty was the English version of Haydn's "Seasons," written by the Rev. John Webb, a local clergyman. Receipts, £9,483; profits, £5,00l 11s.

1823, Oct. 7 to 10. President, Sir Francis Lawley, Bart. Among the fresh faces wore those of Miss Heaton (afterwards Mrs. T. C. Salt), Signor Placci (baritone), Mr. Thorne (bass), Mr. Nicholson (flute), and Signor Puzzi (horn). The Rev. John Webb wrote for this occasion, "The Triumph of Gideon," an English adaptation of Winter's "Timotos." Receipts, £11,115 10s.; profits, £5,806 12s.

1826, Oct. 4 to 7. President, Earl Howe. The programmes this year were more varied than at any previous festival, the performances, in addition to the "Messiah," including the oratorio "Joseph," by Mehul, selections from Graun's "Der Tod Jesu," Handel's "Judas Maccabeus," Haydn's "Seasons," &c. A number of the performers appeared here for their first time, including Madame Caradori, Miss Paton, Miss Biacn, Henry Phillips (the