A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/British Concerts

BRITISH CONCERTS. When the Vocal Concerts were discontinued at the close of the year 1822 a the British Concerts were established to supply their place, and, according to the prospectus, 'to meet the wishes of a numerous class of persons who are anxious to see native talent encouraged.' The programmes were to consist 'entirely of works of British composers, or of foreigners who have been naturalised and resident in these realms for at least ten years.' The managers of the concerts were the following members of the Concentores Society:—Messrs. Attwood, Bishop, Elliot, Goss, Hawes, Horsley, Jolly, Linley and Walmisley, and Sir G. Smart. Three concerts were given in 1823, under the immediate patronage of the King, including instrumental chamber music, vocal solos and glees. Among the new works given were string quartets by J. Calkin and G. Griffin, a quartet for piano and strings by Griffin, Horsley's 'Address to Hope' for double choir, and his glee 'The Crier,' Linley's glee 'Now the blue-fly's gone to bed,' Elliott's 'A choir of bright beauties,' Hawes's 'Love, like a bird,' Attwood's 'In this fair vale.' The instrumental performers were Mori, W. Griesbach, H. Smart, and Linley, and the chief vocalists Mrs. Salmon, Miss Stephens, and Messrs Vaughan, Sale, and Bellamy. The concerts took place in the ball-room of the Argyll Rooms, and a list of 200 subscribers was published, but the support accorded to the scheme was insufficient for the continuance of the concerts, and the season of 1823 was the first and last.

[ C. M. ]