Musical References in the Jennens–Holdsworth Correspondence (1729–46)

Babington, Amanda and Chrissochoidis, Ilias (2014) Musical References in the Jennens–Holdsworth Correspondence (1729–46). Royal Musical Association Research Chronicle, 45. pp. 76-129. ISSN 1472-3808

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Abstract

These extracts on music from the correspondence between Charles Jennens (1700–73) and Edward Holdsworth (1684–1746) reflect the authors’ shared interests and (prohibited) political views. Though commonly known as the librettist of Messiah, Jennens was also a collector of music and art, and as such capitalized on Holdworth’s travels as a tutor of young gentlemen on the Grand Tour. Many of the letters detail musical commissions and their fulfilment by a willing Holdsworth. In return, Jennens acted as Holdsworth’s financial advisor, editorial consultant and publication adviser. Other discussions centre around the public and personal rating of singers and operas, in London and abroad, and include discussions of Handel’s fortunes, his borrowing of music from Jennens’s collection and his health. Mentions of personnel are not restricted to musicians but also encompass members of Jennens’s family and of his and Holdsworth’s social circles, many of whom were supporters of Handel.

Item Type:	Article
Subjects:	M Music and Books on Music > M Music
Depositing User:	Thomas Wise
Date Deposited:	26 Nov 2019 14:16
Last Modified:	27 Nov 2019 15:38
URI:	http://repository.rncm.ac.uk/id/eprint/79

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