The English guitar, easier to learn than the harpsichord, became popular for ladies in the 1750s, allowing them to accompany themselves while singing.
Notable Performances
London in the 1760s attracted international artists who organized their own concerts, requiring entrepreneurial spirit to manage everything from hall rental to ticket sales.
Historical Context
King George III, who began his reign in 1760, was known as 'the Farmer King' due to his passion for science and agriculture, and was unusual for having no royal mistresses.
Cultural Impact
Despite his Italian operas, Georg Frideric Handel, who died in 1759, became a symbol of English patriotism, with his oratorios like 'Messiah' performed widely and commemorated in a grand event by George III.
Composer Biography
Carl Friedrich Abel, a German gambist, was known as 'the Sterne of music' for his ability to evoke deep emotions, often playing his instrument when words failed him.
Notable Performances
The Bach-Abel concerts, co-founded by Carl Friedrich Abel and Johann Christian Bach, were a golden age of musical seasons in London, showcasing the latest European trends.
Historical Context
The year 1760, when this album is set, was a turning point in history, marked by England's triumph over France in the Seven Years War and the death of King George II.
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