1794 - Music

Music

Opera: English soprano-composer Elizabeth Billington goes abroad with her brother and husband to escape London gossips (see 1792). Sir William Hamilton at Naples has her sing at a private party and persuades her to perform at the San Carlo Opera House. She makes a brilliant debut in May in Bianchi's opera Inez de Castro (written especially for her). Her husband dies of apoplexy soon afterward, she becomes a great friend of Emma, Lady Hamilton; and she remains at Naples for another 16 months, singing in operas composed for her by Paisiello, Paer, and Himmel.

First performances: Symphony No. 99 in E flat major by Joseph Haydn 2/10 at London's Hanover Square Rooms; Symphony No. 100 in E major (Military) by Haydn at London; Symphony No. 101 in D major (The Clock) by Haydn 3/3 at the King's Concert Hall, a new addition to the King's Theatre, London. Haydn has come to England as in 1791 and once again writes six new symphonies for J. P. Solomon in little more than a year's time.

Popular songs: "The March of the Men of Harlech" ("Gorhoffedd Gwyr Harlech") is published without words at London. The song was allegedly composed during a siege of the Welsh castle in the 15th century Wars of the Roses.