The Royal Society of Musicians today formally launches a beautifully researched book by David Makie, detailing the proceedings of the Royal Society's 145th Anniversary Festival Dinner (1883) and other papers relating to Arthur Sullivan and the Society.
The RSM was founded in 1738 as the "Fund for Decay'd Musicians" (!) and its members have included Arne, Boyce, Carey, Festing, Pepusch, Sammartini, Stanley and most valuably, Handel who took part in the annual concerts for the Fund's benefit and bequeathed £1000 in his 1759 will.
Members of the RSM were obliged to take part in fundraising concerts, and one of the most amusing parts of the book contains letters from members asking to be excused from performances duties, or sending deputies, as they have been engaged for exclusive runs of Mr. Sullivan's new opera at the Savoy ! (Iolanthe)
Little has changed in London's musical life over the years...This wonderful charitable organisation for musicians, run by musicians, is now still flourishing at 10, Stratford Place, London W1 C 1BA where copies of the book can be obtained from the Secretary, and also information found about membership. see: http://www.royalsocietyofmusicians.co.uk
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From BMUSIC. Archives located at:
http://listserv.uh.edu/archives/bmusic-l.html
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