Catalogue 63 - J & J Lubrano, Music Antiquarians

"William Billings was a composer, singing master, poet, writer, printer and tanner. He spent his life in Boston and
environs, where he was active as a teacher of singing schools from 1769. .. Apparently self-taught as a composer, he
was the first American to bring out a collection of his own music... His tunebooks, especially The Singing Master's
Assistant... were plagiarized by other compilers, and many of his compositions won wide popularity through
appearances in other men's tunebooks. Recognized by his contemporaries as a composer of uncommon talent, he was
often taken during the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries as a symbol of American musical crudeness. Renewed
interest in his music and career since the 1930s, however, has led to a heightened appreciation of his skill as a
composer and his historical position as an American musician of real significance." ASMI pp. 169-170.
42. BISHOP, Henry 1786-1855. Autograph letter signed "Henry R. Bishop," dated [London] Bloomsbury,
February 2, [18]27. 2 pp. of a bifolium. Octavo. To the music publisher D'Almaine. Relative to the publication of an
Ode, with piano-forte accompaniment, and mentioning Cherubini. Slightly worn, creased and stained; split at central
fold. (19061)
$165.
Bishop was an English composer who, in his day, "enjoyed a commanding reputation as the guardian of the best
traditions of English song, and for a time he kept English opera alive almost single-handed." Bruce Carr in Grove
online.
Grove notes that Bishop wrote two odes, one for the Anniversary of the Accession of George IV in 1821 and the other
on the Installation of the Earl of Derby in Oxford in 1853. The present letter is presumably referring to the first ode.
The addressee is most probably Thomas D'Almaine (d. 1766), of the English music publishing firm originally
commenced by George Goulding "who was probably in business before 1784." Kidson: British Music Publishers,
Printers and Engravers, p. 53.
43. BISHOP, Henry R. 1786-1855. Mora's Love or The Enchanted Harp, a favorite Pastoral Romance as
Performed at the King's Theatre Haymarket, Composed by Mr. D'Egville. Printed for the Author, by L. Lavenu , [ca.
1809]. Folio. Recent marbled boards. 34 pp. With vignette of a harp to title page. Some staining and minor foxing. A
very good, wide-margined copy overall. (18868)
$275.
Probable First Edition. Smith: The Italian Opera and Contemporary Ballet in London 1785-1802 no. 389.
First performed at the King's Theatre on June 15th 1809.
44. BISHOP, Henry R. 1796-1855. Tamerlane et Bajazet The New Grand Heroic Ballet as Performed at the
King's Theare Haymarket with the most Enthusiastic applause The Ballet by Sigr. Rossi the Music Composed,
Selected, and the Whole arranged for the Piano Forte, by H.R. Bishop. London: Printed by Pearce & Co., [ca. 1806].
Folio. Newly bound in full taupe linen with printed paper label to spine. 1f. (title), 50 pp. Some browning; evidence of
erasure to upper blank margin of title. In very good condition overall. (18863)
$350.
Probable First Edition. Smith 325.
First performed at the King's Theatre on February 11th 1806.
45. BOCCHERINI, Luigi 1743-1805. [Op. 3]. Six Sonatas for the Harpsicord or Piano-Forte With an
Accompaniment for a Violin or German Flute... Opera 3. S. Browne scrip Norwich - J Gray sculp. [Parts]. London:
Longman, Lukey & Co., [ca. 1775]. Folio. Disbound. 1f. (title), 42; 1f. (title), 22 pp. Engraved. With attractive title
within decorative borders to each part. Minor browning, most noticeable to keyboard part. (18714)
$425.