Academy of Ancient Music
The Academy of Ancient Music was established in London in
1710, with the view of promoting the study and practice of vocal and
instrumental harmony. This institution had a fine musical library, and
was aided by the performances of the gentlemen of the Chapel Royal and
the choir of St Paul’s, with the boys belonging to each, and continued
to flourish for many years. About 1734 the academy became a seminary
for the instruction of youth in the principias of music and the laws of
harmony. The Royal Academy of Music was formed for the performance of
operas, composed by Handel, and conducted by him at the theatre in the
Haymarket. The subscription amounted to L. 50,000, and the king,
besides subscribing L. 1000, allowed the society to assume the title
Royal. It consisted of a governor, deputy-governor and twenty
directors. A contest between Handel and Senesino, one of the
performers, in which the directors took the part of the latter,
occasioned the dissolution of the academy after it had existed with
honour for more than nine years. The present Royal Academy of Music
dates from 1822, and was incorporated in 1830. It instructs pupils of
both sexes in music. |







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