Portfolio
Sheet music
Maker & role
Alfred Bennett (active circa 1855), Author
Production date
circa 1830-circa 1840
Object detail
Production place
Collection
Measurements
0 - Whole, H: 35.5 x W: 25.5cm (H: 355 x W: 255mm)
Signature & marks
Title printed inside of book; 'Instructions for the / SPANISH GUITAR / founded on the systems of the first, Masters of that instrument particularly those of / Carulli, Giuliani and with Morettis / System of Accompaniment / Dedicated by Permifsion to / Her Grace the Duchefs of Richmond / by / ALFRED BENNETT / Mus. Bac. Oxon.'.
Credit line
Purchase, 2007
Vaucluse House Collection, Museums of History New South Wales
Vaucluse House Collection, Museums of History New South Wales
Description
Folio of guitar music and ensuite instructor by Alfred Bennett, covered with marbled boards with green reinforcements. The title page engraved with a vignette of a lady and gentleman playing the guitar with a tripod music stand and the text; 'Instructions for the / SPANISH GUITAR / founded on the systems of the first, Masters of that instrument particularly those of / Carulli, Giuliani and with Morettis / System of Accompaniment / Dedicated by Permifsion to / Her Grace the Duchefs of Richmond / by / ALFRED BENNETT / Mus. Bac. Oxon.', and the publishing details ‘LONDON / Printed & sold by S. CHAPPELL, Music Seller to his Majesty / 50, New Bond Street.’ The contents includes instructions for the guitar, selections by various Italian music teachers and ‘professors of eminence’, and music by Louisa Stuart Costello (1799 -1870), Bellini (1801-1835 ), George Alexander Macfarren (1813-1887), Charles D’Albert, C. Eulenstein, and G. Linley. Several advertisements for folios and music are included. Although undated, the folio’s contents place it’s printing at c1855. Norma by Vincenzo Bellini, was composed in 1831;Weber’s last waltz was composed by Carl Gottlieb Reißiger before 1835; while The Sicilian Bride by Michael Balfe, the most recent, was composed in 1852.
Mid 19th century colonial musical taste as in Britain was dominated by a fad for ‘all things Italian’, which is reflected by the names of the instructors (‘Giulinai, Legnani, Carulli &c.’), many of which were likely affectations to increase saleability or clientele. The folio is also representative of the Romantic period of music. The poet and writer Louisa Stuart Costello, whose song Return Rosy Season is included, was a notable travel writer and poet, influenced by Shelley, Scott, Gray and Blake. Her published works, which feature British and International landscapes, include references to Persian literature, Kahlil Gibran and the Koran, making her an exceptional inclusion in a folio primarily aimed at a mid Victorian female readership.
Acquisitions for Vaucluse House are guided by the period of occupation by the Wentworth family, from 1827-1853, based where possible on inventories and other documentary evidence. Where direct information is not known acquisitions are based on documented information about other houses of similar period, style and quality.
Collections of sheet music were common in colonial interiors, either purchased singly or in folio editions, or copied by hand. Instruments deemed more suitable for a lady (such as the seven Wentworth daughters) included the piano, harp and guitar. In the frequent absence of acceptable music teachers instructional guides were necessary.
Vaucluse House has an established history of music concerts and recitals, particularly associated with the Collard & Collard piano in the drawing room. This folio, apart from interpreting the role of music as a suitable accomplishment for a woman and its place in colonial domestic life, will also be used as a source for recitals and associated programmes.
Mid 19th century colonial musical taste as in Britain was dominated by a fad for ‘all things Italian’, which is reflected by the names of the instructors (‘Giulinai, Legnani, Carulli &c.’), many of which were likely affectations to increase saleability or clientele. The folio is also representative of the Romantic period of music. The poet and writer Louisa Stuart Costello, whose song Return Rosy Season is included, was a notable travel writer and poet, influenced by Shelley, Scott, Gray and Blake. Her published works, which feature British and International landscapes, include references to Persian literature, Kahlil Gibran and the Koran, making her an exceptional inclusion in a folio primarily aimed at a mid Victorian female readership.
Acquisitions for Vaucluse House are guided by the period of occupation by the Wentworth family, from 1827-1853, based where possible on inventories and other documentary evidence. Where direct information is not known acquisitions are based on documented information about other houses of similar period, style and quality.
Collections of sheet music were common in colonial interiors, either purchased singly or in folio editions, or copied by hand. Instruments deemed more suitable for a lady (such as the seven Wentworth daughters) included the piano, harp and guitar. In the frequent absence of acceptable music teachers instructional guides were necessary.
Vaucluse House has an established history of music concerts and recitals, particularly associated with the Collard & Collard piano in the drawing room. This folio, apart from interpreting the role of music as a suitable accomplishment for a woman and its place in colonial domestic life, will also be used as a source for recitals and associated programmes.
Accession number
V2007/21
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