A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Royal Academy of Music (1720–1728)

by William Barclay Squire

ROYAL ACADEMY OF MUSIC, 1720–1728. From 1717 to 1720 there was no Italian Opera in London, but in the latter year a sum of £50,000 was raised by subscription, and an establishment was founded for the performance of Italian operas. This was the first Royal Academy of Music. It consisted of a Governor, a Deputy-Governor, and 20 Directors. The first governor was the Duke of Newcastle, the deputy-governor was Lord Bingley, and the directors included the leaders of society at the Court of George I. Buononcini was invited to England from Rome, Ariosti from Berlin, and Handel left Cannons and went to Dresden to engage singers. Under these brilliant auspices the Academy opened at the King's Theatre in the Haymarket, on April 1, 1720, with Giovanni Porta's 'Numitor,' and the following strong cast:—Senesino, Durastanti, Boschi, and Berenstadt. The season ended on June 25. It was remarkable for the production of Handel's 'Radamisto' and D. Scarlatti's 'Narcisso,' the latter conducted by Roseingrave, and including Mrs. Anastasia Robinson in the cast. The second season lasted from Nov. 19, 1720, to July 5, 1721. The new works performed were 'Astarto' (Buononcini), 'Arsace' (a pasticcio), 'Muzio Scævola' (Ariosti, Buononcini, and Handel), and 'Giro' (Ariosti). During the first year of the undertaking £15,000 of the subscription had been spent. The third season began Nov. 1, 1721, and ended June 16, 1722. The new operas were Handel's 'Floridante,' Buononcini's 'Crispo' and 'Griselda.' The fourth season lasted from Nov. 7, 1722, to June 15, 1723, and was remarkable for the first appearance in England of Cuzzoni, who sang in Handel's 'Ottone' on Jan. 12. The other new works (besides 'Ottone') were Ariosti's 'Coriolano,' Buononcini's 'Erminia,' and Handel's 'Flavio.' In the fifth season (Nov. 27, 1723, to June 13, 1724) Buononcini's 'Farnace,' Ariosti's 'Vespasiano,' and a pasticcio called 'Aquilio,' were produced. At the end of the season Mrs. Robinson retired from the stage. The sixth season (Oct. 31, 1724, to May 19, 1725) opened with Handel's 'Tamerlano.' Ariosti's 'Artaserse' and 'Dario' (partly by Vivaldi), Handel's 'Rodelinda,' Buononcini's 'Calfurnia,' and Vinci's 'Elpidia' were the other new works produced. The seventh season (November 1725 to June 1726) ended abruptly, owing to the illness of Senesino, but it was remarkable for the first appearance of the celebrated Faustina Hasse, who sang in Handel's 'Alessandro' on May 5. Handel's 'Scipione' was also produced in March. Owing to Senesino's absence, the operas were suspended till Christmas, and the next season ended on June 6, 1727. Ariosti's 'Lucio Vero,' Handel's 'Admeto,' and Buononcini's 'Astyanax' (the last of his operas performed at the Academy) were the chief works; but the season, although short, was enlivened by the continual disturbances caused by the rivalry between Cuzzoni and Faustina. The ninth season lasted from Oct. 3, 1727, to June 1, 1728. The operas were entirely under Handel's direction: his 'Siroe,' 'Tolomeo,' and 'Ricardo I' were produced, but the success of the 'Beggar's Opera' at Lincoln's Inn Fields Theatre, as well as the continual disputes and dissensions amongst the singers, caused the season to be more than usually disastrous. At the end of it, the whole sum subscribed, as well as the receipts, was found to have been entirely spent. The company was dispersed, and although a few meetings of the court were held during the year, the establishment was allowed to die gradually, and was never revived.^[1]

[ W. B. S. ]

1. Further information as to the Royal Academy of Music will be found in Burney's History of Music, vol. iv, from which the above is compiled.