Research Catalog

Title

The theater of music : or, A choice collection of the newest and best songs sung at the court and public theaters : the words composed by the most ingenious wits of the age, and set to music by the greatest masters in that science : with a theorbo-bass to each song for the theorbo or bass-viol : also symphonies and retornels in 3 parts to several of them for the violins and flutes.

Publication

London : Printed by J. Playford for Henry Playford and R.C. and are to be sold near the Temple Church and at the Middle-Temple Gate, 1685-1687.

Items in the Library & Off-site

Details

Additional Authors

• Playford, John, approximately 1655-1685 or 1686.
• Playford, Henry, 1657-
• Carr, Richard, active 17th century.
• Carr, John, active 1672-1695.
• Motte, Benjamin, -1710.
• Midgley, Robert, 1655?-1723.
• Drexel Collection.

Description

4 v. of music; 32 cm. (fol.)

Alternative Title

Choice collection of the newest and best songs sung at the court and public theatres

Subjects

• Songs with continuo
• Songs, English > England
• Vocal duets, Unaccompanied
• Vocal duets with continuo

Note

• Mostly scored on two staves, for voice and continuo; some songs for two solo voices or for two voices and continuo (figured and unfigured).
• Each book has separate illustrated t.p.
• Dedication to book 1 signed: R.C. [Richard Carr] and H.P. [Henry Playford]; dedication to book 4 signed: Henry Playford.
• First ed.--Cf. New Grove.
• Title and imprint from book 1; book 3 has imprint: London, Printed for Henry Playford and R.C. and sold by Henry Playford near the Temple Church, and John Carr at the Middle-Temple Gate, 1686; book 4 has imprint: London, Printed by B. Motte for Henry Playford at his shop near the Temple Church, 1687.
• "In the title page of this book, instead of Theorbo-bass, read Thorow-bass"--Book 1, p. 76.
• "Licensed, Rob. Midgley, October 23, 1686"--Book 4, verso of t.p.
• Government Documents and Microforms Collection copy is a reproduction of original in Library of Congress.
• Includes indexes.
• Letterpress printing.

Indexed In (note)

• RISM, B / 1
• Wing
• Arber's Term cat.
• Day & Murray. Songbooks
• ESTC (RLIN)

Language (note)

• English text.

Call Number

Drexel 4171

OCLC

612736633

Title

The theater of music : or, A choice collection of the newest and best songs sung at the court and public theaters : the words composed by the most ingenious wits of the age, and set to music by the greatest masters in that science : with a theorbo-bass to each song for the theorbo or bass-viol : also symphonies and retornels in 3 parts to several of them for the violins and flutes.

Imprint

London : Printed by J. Playford for Henry Playford and R.C. and are to be sold near the Temple Church and at the Middle-Temple Gate, 1685-1687.

Indexed In:

RISM, B / 1, 1685⁵, 1685⁶, 1686³, 1687⁵.

Wing, P2348-P2441

Arber's Term cat., II:97, 136, 168, 178

Day & Murray. Songbooks, 78, 79, 86, 94

ESTC (RLIN), R231599, R228800, R231600, R231602

Language

English text.

Connect to:

Request Access to Music & Recorded Sound Division Special Collections material

Place of Publication

England London.

Added Author

Playford, John, approximately 1655-1685 or 1686. Printer

Playford, Henry, 1657- Publisher

Carr, Richard, active 17th century. Publisher

Carr, John, active 1672-1695. Publisher

Motte, Benjamin, -1710. Printer

Midgley, Robert, 1655?-1723.

Drexel Collection.

Research Call Number

Drexel 4171