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“A View of the Public Fire-Works to be exhibited on Occasion of the General Peace” architectural and instructional engraving

 Collection — Folder: 1
Identifier: C0482

Scope and Content

“A View of the Public Fire-Works to be exhibited on Occasion of the General Peace” architectural and instructional engraving, created circa 1749. The engraving shows a drawing of the pavilion to be built for the celebratory fireworks performance and its written specifications. According to the specifications, the celebration would be performed as such: “At the Top of the Building, from behind the two Stars, five hundred Rockets will go off from each Place: The whole Front of the Building will display Fire Wheels, and many other Devices in various Forms and Colours, which will continue for three Hours; at the Conclusion of which, from behind the King’s Arms, at Top, six thousand Rockets will go off at once. After which the whole Building will be illuminated, and continue so five Hours more.”

Dates

  • Creation: circa 1749

Creator

Access Restrictions

There are no access restrictions.

Use Restrictions

Public Domain. There are no known restrictions.

Historical Information

“Music for the Royal Fireworks” is an orchestral suite composed by George Frideric Handel in 1749 and commissioned by King George II of England to celebrate the ending of the War of the Austrian Succession, which lasted from 1740 - 1748. The music was composed to accompany a fireworks display at a grand pavilion built specifically for the occasion in London. Unfortunately, the dress rehearsal for the performance was a greater success than the actual performance. Handel would eventually rework his music for a full orchestra, which is the version that is still performed today.

Extent

.01 Linear Feet (1 item)

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

“A View of the Public Fire-Works to be exhibited on Occasion of the General Peace” architectural and instructional engraving, created circa 1749. The engraving shows a drawing of the pavilion to be built for the celebratory fireworks performance and its written specifications.

Arrangement

This is a single item collection.

Physical Location

R 72, C 3, S 5

Acquisition Information

Purchased by Steve Gerber from J & J Lubrano Music Antiquarians in March 2018.

Related Materials

The Special Collections Resarch Center holds other engravings and illustrations from this time period.

The British Museum holds a print illustration depicting the same occasion.

Bibliography

Blevins, Kali. "How Handel’s ‘Music for the Royal Fireworks’ Premiered with a Bang." Of Note, WDAV Classical Public Radio, July 3, 2014. https://blogs.wdav.org/2014/07/how-handels-music-for-the-royal-fireworks-premiered-with-a-bang/.

Schwarm, B.. "Music for the Royal Fireworks." Encyclopedia Britannica, accessed August 18, 2021. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Music-for-the-Royal-Fireworks.

Processing Information

Processing completed by Amanda Brent in August 2021. EAD markup completed by Amanda Brent in August 2021. This item was formerly part of the Performing Arts Manuscript Materials collection, C0215.

Geographic

Topical

Title
Guide to “A View of the Public Fire-Works to be exhibited on Occasion of the General Peace” architectural and instructional engraving
Subtitle
“A View of the Public Fire-Works to be exhibited on Occasion of the General Peace” architectural and instructional engraving
Status
Completed
Author
Amanda Brent
Date
August 18, 2021
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the George Mason University. Libraries. Special Collections Research Center Repository

Contact:
Fenwick Library, MS2FL
4400 University Dr.
Fairfax Virginia 22030 United States
703-993-2220
703-993-8911 (Fax)