Thanks to all who responded so far. I've not seen Peter Holman for years
(decades, actually) and contacting him is a good idea. I'll follow up on the
German name, as well.
Once Bononcini's fortunes with his operas changed, he was in fact hired to
perform twice weekly at Henrietta's (the junior Duchess of Marlborough) home in
twice-weekly concerts that were dedicated to his music exclusively or nearly
exclusively. As near as I can tell there are no detailed descriptions of
Henrietta's house concerts--they were private affairs and not subject to
newspaper comment or review. There are occasional mentions of them, more as
social events than musical, in newspapers, letters or diaries. These brief
comments occasionally list singers and notable musicians (e.g., Bononcini) and
often conclude with "the Instrumental Parts by Masters of the best Performers,"
or something like that. Tantalizingly vague.
The best comment is after the fact in Hawkins. He observes that Bononcini
"ever chose to be accompanied by Weber on the lute." Bononcini was a cello
virtuoso, so we're probably looking at cello/lute duets as well as continuo
support under songs. I'm working with Bonocini's 1732 trio sonatas (2 vln &
"bass doubled"--cello & something else) and would love to ascertain if these
were first heard with lute & cello continuo.
I appreciate the feedback and will report if I discover anything more about
Francisco Weber.
jeff
David Rastall <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
On Sep 11, 2007, at 8:40 PM, Jeffrey Noonan wrote:
A question--I've recently run across references to a lutenist identified
variously as
Francisco Weiber
Francisco Weber
Francisco Waber
He was active in London in the 1720s and performed with the
composer/cellist Giovanni Bononcini as well as the castrato Francesco Senesino.
I've gleaned the little bit of information about him that I can from Lowell
Lindgren's dissertation and articles about Bononcini, but have found no other
easily accessible info on him. I do not have Matthew Spring's book (The Lute in
Britain) at hand, but do not recall a discussion of anyone with that name.
Anyone out there have any suggestions or knowledge of this lutenist?
I read that Bononcini was hired in 1725, or thereabouts. as the director of
private concerts given by the Duchess of Marlborough. If he employed anyone as
a lutenist for one or more of those concerts,there might be some record of it.
David R
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
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