William Corbett (composer)

William Corbett ( * 1680 in London, † March 7, 1748 ) was an English composer and violinist of the Baroque.

Life

William Corbett was already before 1700 violinist and composer at the New Theatre Lincoln 's Inn Fields in London. From 1705 Corbett was orchestra director at the King 's Theatre. In 1709 he became a member of the Royal Orchestra. In 1716 he became conductor of the King's band. Between 1715 and 1726 often lived for a long time in several Italian cities to familiarize yourself with the music, but especially with the Italian opera familiar, in contrast to the English opera, the talk scenes contained, was sung throughout ( all sung opera).

Corbett has a significant collection of valuable violins, including instruments of Jacob Stainer, Stradivari, Amati, Maggini and da Salò, as well as other music and painting together carry. A violin by Matthias Alban said to have been in the possession of Captain Corelli. During his lifetime became Corbett suspected that he could gather so many means by spy activities for the English court. Numerous dedications in his concerts, which were the high nobility, strengthened this suspicion. Corbett has organized numerous benefit concerts, some with quite rare instruments such as the viola d' amore, or Viol de venere, with the announcement or with the note "with the instrument never heard in Publick ."

Works (selection)

His most important work is the striking Concerti Grossi Le Bizzarie Universali op.8 in which he parodies different regional or national styles such as alla Francese, alla Bergamasca Turinese alla, alla Spagniola, al ' irlandese and more.

Vocal works:

  • Henry VI. Libretto by Betterton (1699 )
  • As You Find It (1703)
  • Love Betrayed, or The Agreeable Disappointment (1703)
  • British Enchanters, or No Magick Like Love ( 1706)

Instrumental works:

  • Twelve Sonatas for two violins and a tre bc op.1 (1700)
  • The Instrumental Musick for January, February and March, for 2 flutes and bc (1703)
  • Six Sonatas for two flutes and B.C. op.2 (1705 )
  • Le Bizzarie Universali in Four Parts op.8 (2 violins, viola and bc ) ( 1728)
  • 35 Concerti Le Bizzarie Universali in Seven Parts, op.8 in progress as concerti grossi ( 1742)
Arcangelo Corelli Integrated Authority File
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