Michael Christian Festing

Michael Christian Festing (* November 29, 1705 in London, † July 24, 1752 ) was an English violinist and composer of the late Baroque.

Life

Michael Christian Festing was taught by Richard Jones and later by Francesco Geminiani. His first become known public appearance was in 1732 in " Hickford 's Rooms ", a popular concert hall in London. Among the fixed employments the Festing had belonged to that of a violinist in the " King's Theatre " which. "Master of the King's Musick " a position he took over from James Moore Maybe he was for a time head of the "Italian opera house ", from 1742, he was head of " Ranelagh Gardens ," a paid entertainment garden in London. In 1738 he was a founding member of a foundation for the benefit of impoverished musicians of the " Fund for the Support of Decay'y Musicians and Their Families", the number of significant musicians of the time joined. Among his most famous pupils was Thomas Arne. Festing had four children, his son, the Rev. Michael Festing (* 1725), was married to the daughter of Catherine of his friend Maurice Greene.

Works

Thanks to the financial support of wealthy patrons Festing was able to publish many works.