21 May 1825

Anniversary Dinner of the Royal Society of Musicians

London: New Argyll Rooms

Dinner: Six o’Clock Tickets: 1 Guinea (wine included

✗Programme

Hymn, ‘Non nobis Domine’	Professors
National Anthem (3^rd stanza as a duet)	Masters Parry, Smith and the Band
Glee, ‘The Duke of York and the Army’
Glee, ‘The Duke of Clarence and the Navy’
Glee, ‘Hail, happy Albion’	Piano: Mr. Greatorex	Callcott
[Free Piano Fantasia], incl. March from Die Zauberflöte with Variations	Mr. Moscheles
Glee for Five Voices and Chorus ‘Oh, the tweet Contentment’		Horsley
Trio for two Guitars and a Physharmonica	Guitars: Mr. Schultz and his younger son; Physharmonica: Mr. Schultz’s elder son
Glee, ‘The Curfew’	Masters Bayley, Wesley; Piano: Mr. Leete	Attwood
‘Home, sweet home’ with Flute Variations	Flute: Mr. Nicholson; Piano: Mr. Lord jun.	Bishop
Irish Melody, ‘Gramachree’	Clarinet: Mr. Willman; Flute: Mr. Nicholson
Rondo	Clarinet: Mr. Willman; Flute: Mr. Nicholson
From Orlando: Air, ‘Lascia Amor e siegui Marte’	Mr. Phillips	Handel
Irish air, ‘Kathleen o’Moore’	Master Smith
Glee, ‘When the Wind blows’	Mr. Vaughan	Bishop
‘Mr. and Mrs. Provost’	Mr. Charles Taylor
From Der Freischütz: ‘Huntsmen’s Chorus’		Weber arranged by Hawes
*Song	Mr. Charles Taylor
*Song	Mr. Charles Taylor

Principal Vocalists: Masters Bayley, Parry, Smith, Wesley, Messrs. C. Taylor, Phillips, Vaughan

Principal Instrumentalists: Messrs. Cramer, Fleischer, Greatorex, Harper, Leete, Mackintosh, Monzani, Marliotti, Moscheles, Nicholson, Petrides, Powell, Sharp, Schultz and two sons, Swillman, Tully Wallis, Willman

———————————

Programme Notes: The piano brand was Broadwood.

Encore: Irish Melody, ‘Gramachree’—Clarinet: Mr. Willman; Flute: Mr. Nicholson

The Morning Post (May 16, 1825):

ROYAL SOCIETY of MUSICIANS.—By Command of his Most Excellent Majesty the King, will be Performed in the King’s Concert Rooms, Hanover-square, on WEDNESDAY, June the 8th, for the BENEFIT of that SOCIETY, the SACRED ORATORIO of the MESSIAH. The Vocal Parts by the principal Performers of the Ancient Concert. Leader of the Band, Mr. F. Cramer.—Conductor, Mr. Greatorex. The Rehearsal will take place on Monday, June 6, at Twelve o’Clock; the doors to be opened at Eleven. The Performance, at half-past Seven o’Clock: and the doors will be opened at half-past six. Tickets for the Rehearsal and Performance, to admit one person to each, to be had at Birchall’s Music Shop, No. 133, New Bond-street, price One Guinea. Admittance to the Rehearsal Half a Guinea.

The Nobility and Gentry are respectfully informed, that the ANNIVERSARY DINNER of this Society will take place on a Grand Scale on WHITSUN EVE, May 21, at the ARGYLL ROOMS, when Compositions of the most celebrated Authors, both Vocals and Instrumental, will be performed, particulars of which will be printed, and distributed in the Rooms.

The Right Hon. the Earl FORTESCUE, in the Chair.

Dinner at six o’clock precisely.—Tickets (which are limited) One Guinea each, to be had at Birchall’s, Bond-street; Harmonic Institution, Argyll Rooms; and Bett’s Royal Exchange. The Dinner furnished by Mr. Wand, of Bond-street, and the Wines by Mr. Kay, of the Albion. No collection after dinner.

Ibid., 3.

FASHIONABLE ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE WEEK.

….

SATURDAY.

….

Grand Festival of the Royal Society of Musicians, at the Argyll Rooms.

The Courier (May 17, 1825): 3.

GRAND MUSICAL FESTIVAL.—The Committee of Management is indefatigable in its exertions, to ensure the lovers of harmony a most exquisite treat, at the Anniversary Dinner of the Royal Society of Musicians, which takes places on Saturday next, at the Argyll Rooms. Moscheles will be there, and so will Nicholson, also Mr. Schutz and his Songs, who have just arrived from Germany, and whose extraordinary performance on two Guitars, and a new instrument called Physharmonica, has received the highest approbation of the King. Some of the finest Vocal and Instrumental Compositions will be executed by a very numerous assemblage of eminent Professors, who feel it an incumbent duty, to promote the interest of this most excellent Institution.

The Morning Post (May 17, 1825): 3.

MUSICALS.— The Anniversary Festival of the Royal Society of Musicians, which takes place on Saturday next, at the Argyll Rooms, is expected to be the greatest treat of the kind this season. Earl FORTESCUE (as one of the Directors of the King’s Concerts) presides at the Dinner. The celebrated MOSCHELES will perform on the Pianoforte; our own native warbler, NICHOLSON, on the Flute; and Mr. SCHUTZ with his two sons (who have just arrived from Germany) will perform on Guitars, and a newly invented instrument, called the Physharmonica; exclusively of some of the finest Glees, by a most powerful vocal corps, and several excellent compositions by a very superior band of wind instruments.

The Morning Post (May 18, 1825): 3.

Mr. SCHULTZ and his two Sons were lately introduced to the King by Mr. ATTWOOD, the musical professor, in consequence of Mr. S. having invented a new instrument, called the Physharmonicon, the properties of which are to produce tones similar to those of the softest stops of an organ. Mr. S. and his Sons performed six pieces before his MAJESTY, one of them was repeated. They are to perform at the Festival of the Royal Society of Musicians.

The Courier (May 19, 1825): 1.

ROYAL SOCIETY of MUSICIANS.—By Command of his Most Excellent Majesty the KING, will be performed in the King’s Concert Rooms, Hanover-square, on Wednesday, the 8th of June next, for the BENEFIT of that SOCIETY, the SACRED ORATORIO of the MESSIAH.

The Vocal Parts by the principal Performers of the Ancient Concert.—Leader of the Band, Mr. F. Cramer.—Conductor, Mr. Greatorex. The Rehearsal will take place on Monday, the 6th of June, at Twelve o’Clock; the Doors to be opened at Eleven. The Performance, at Half-past Seven o’Clock: and the Doors will be opened at Half-past Six.

Tickets for the Rehearsal and Performance, to admit One Person to each, to be had at Birchall’s Music Shop, 133, New Bond-street, price One Guinea. Admittance to the Rehearsal Half a Guinea.

The Nobility and Gentry are respectfully informed, that the ANNIVERSARY DINNER of this SOCIETY will take place on a Grand Scale on Whitsun Eve, May the 21st, at the Argyll Rooms, when Compositions of the most celebrated Authors, both Vocals and Instrumental, will be performed, particulars of which will be printed, and distributed in the Rooms.

The Right Hon. the Earl FORTESCUE, in the Chair.

Dinner at Six o’Clock precisely.—Tickets (which are limited.) One Guinea each, to be had at Birchall’s, Bond-street; and Bett’s Royal Exchange. The Dinner furnished by Mr. Wand, of Bond-street, and the Wines by Mr. Kay, of the Albion. No Collection after Dinner.

The Morning Post (May 19, 1825): 1.

[Same as issued in The Morning Post on May 16]

The Morning Post (May 21, 1825): 1.

ROYAL SOCIETY of MUSICIANS.—The Committee of Management respectfully inform the Public, that NO MORE TICKETS can be issued for the ANNIVERSARY FESTIVAL, which takes place THIS DAY, at the Argyll Rooms.

May 21, 1825. M. SIMCOCK, Secretary.

Reviews

The Courier (May 23, 1825): 3.

The Anniversary Festival of the Royal Society of Musicians was held on Saturday last, at the Argyll Rooms.

The Morning Post (May 23, 1825): 3.

ROYAL SOCIETY OF MUSICIANS.

The Anniversary Festival of this excellent Institution was held on Saturday last, at the Argyll Rooms.

So much interest had been created by the announcement of this meeting, that the Committee of Management were obliged to advertise on Friday and Saturday that no more tickets would be issued. This regulation was highly necessary, to ensure comfort to those who attended the dinner, which was a most excellent one, provided by WAUD, of Bond-street, who served it at the moment appointed, viz. six o’clock; when Earl FORTESCUE took the Chair, surrounded by as many Gentlemen as the spacious Concert Room could accommodate, and honoured with a brilliant assemblage of Beauty, “England’s fairest flowers,” who occupied the boxes.

When the cloth was removed “Non nobis Domine” was sung in a truly sublime manner, by a vast number of Professors of the first celebrity.

The first toast was “The King, Patron of the Society.”—(Loud applause.)—Our National Anthem followed, accompanied by a most charming Band, consisting of Messrs. CRAMER, WILLMAN, POWELL, FLEISCHER, MONZANI, VOGT, SHARP, MACKINTOSH, TULLY, PETRIDES, HARPER, WALLIS, MARLIOTTI, &c. Masters SMITHS and PARRY sung the third stanza as a duet, which had a very pleasing effect.

“The Duke of York and the Army.”—Were any thing wanting to prove that the conduct of the Commander in Chief, on a late occasion, has endeared him more than ever to the public at large, the long continued plaudits on this occasion might be instanced. “The Duke of Clarence and the Navy.” Glee. “Hail, happy Albion,” finely performed, Mr. GREATOREX presiding at the Pianoforte.

Mr. HORSLEY rose to propose the health of the Noble President, and after giving a brief statement of the receipts and expenditures of the Society, and creating much laughter by many witty remarks on the different modes resorted to, to procure subscribers, &c. &c., he drew a most animated and feeling picture of the aged musician, who looked to this Society for support, of the distressed widow, who also was cherished by it, and lastly, the poor dear orphan, who was thrown on the world, and who might wander from the paths of virtue and come to a disgraceful end, were it not for protection of the Society. There are on the books at this time, eleven aged musicians, forty widows, and thirty orphans! all of whom derive a comfortable maintenance from the bounty of the Society. Mr. HORSLEY concluded one of the best speeches we ever heard at a public dinner, by giving “Earl Fortescue, with three times three.”—His LORDSHIP returned thanks, assuring the company, that he would promote the interest of the Institution as far as in him laid; and, as a proof of his anxiety to please them, he would request Mr. MOSCHELES to favour them with a solo on the Pianoforte.— (Thunders of applause.) Mr. MOSCHELES sat down to a most beautiful instrument of BROADWOOD’s, and, “with a master’s hand,” preluded in a most extraordinary manner, then played MOZART’s exquisite March in the Zauberflöte (we believe) as a Thema, on which he executed such brilliant variations, as baffle all description ; suffice it to say, that it was one of the finest efforts ever heard, and the exertions and wonderful talents of the performer, were rewarded by acclamations, as he walked from the instrument to his seat.

Dr. SMITHS rose to propose the health of the Honorary Vice-Presidents; in doing which he observed, that speeches at well as sermons might be made too long; he would therefore only beg to thank the Royal and Noble Vice-Presidents for their patronage, and to assure them, that it would be ever gratefully acknowledged by the Society.

Horsley’s cheerful [sic] glee for five voices and chorus, of “Oh, the tweet Contentment,” finely performed.

The PRESIDENT announced, that Mr. SCHULZ and his sons would favour the company with their performance on two guitars, and a newly-invented instrument called the physharmonica, which is a small box of about eighteen inches long and six wide, containing pieces of metal of different sizes, and a cylinder, which is turned by a pedal, touched by the foot. It is played like the pianoforte, chiefly with one hand; its tones are exquisitely soft, resembling the musical glasses. Of the performance we must speak in the highest terms. The father and younger son play the guitars extremely well, particularly the boy, who appears no more than nine years old, and the elder (about eleven) touches the physharmonica with uncommon taste and feeling. It is altogether a very delightful treat, and from the applause the strangers received on this occasion, we augur that their visit to England will not be regretted: they are natives of Vienna.

“The Physicians and Surgeons.” —Here a laughable coincidence appeared in the printed programme— of course accidentally—for the toast was followed by ATTWOOD’S beautiful glee of “The Curfew,” extremely well sung by Master’s WESLEY and BAYLEY, and Mr. LEETE; the author presiding at the pianoforte.

The NOBLE PRESIDENT in a neat speech proposed the health of the Ladies, and thanks to them for the honour of their company.

Mr. NICHOLSON performed “Home, sweet home.” with variations on the flute, accompanied on the pianoforte by Mr. Lord, jun. To say that NICHOLSON performed, is a guarantee sufficient that it was a delightful treat, and duly appreciated by the company. Mr. NICHOLSON and Mr. WILLMAN performed in the course of the evening “Gramachree,” on the flute and clarionet, in the most delicate and mellifluous manner; they were loudly encored, but they played a smart rondo in the most finished style of excellence.

Mr. PHILLIPS sung HANDEL’S fine song from Orlando, of “Lascia Amor,” when he had an opportunity of displaying his rich and mellow voice. We predict that this young man will become a second BARTLEMAN. Master SMITH sung a pretty Irish air, “Kathleen ta Moor,” most delightfully, and repeated it, at the universal call of the room. BISHOP’S charming round of “When the Wind blows” was sung by Mr. VAUGHAN and all the vocal corps, accompanied by a band, in a manner that drew down the highest marks of approbation. CHARLES TAYLOR gave “Mr. and Mrs. Provost” with infinite comic effect; he also sung two more songs in the course of the evening. The entertainment closed with the huntsman’s chorus from Freischulz, as arranged by HAWES, which had an excellent effect.

In the course of the evening, the President had the pleasing task of reading over several lists of donations and subscriptions; among the former was a sum of fifty pounds from Messrs. Broadwoods, being their second donation.

Thus concluded the greatest entertainment of the kind ever offered to the public. The wines furnished by Mr. KAY, of the Albion, were excellent, and the festival altogether was exceedingly well managed by a Committee consisting of the following eminent Professors :—

Attwood, jun., A. Betts, Burrowes, J. Calkin, J. B. Cramer, F. Cramer, Dance, Griffin, Hawes, Horsley, Knvvett, W. Knyvett, Lord, Lord, jun., Mackintosh, Neate, Nield, Parry, Potter, Rovedino, M. Sharp, Sherrington, Shield, Sale, Dr. Smith.