The trial of Midas the Second, or congress of musicians. A poem in three cantos, ca. 1777.

1 v. (40 p.) ; 19 x 12 cm.

English

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Manuscript, in a single hand, of a satirical poem written in response to the publication of Burney's rival Sir John Hawkins' "A General History of the Science and Practice of Music." In Burney's poem, Hawkins, in the figure of Midas, is put on trial for not recognizing then-respected composers in his work; found guilty, his works are consigned to "a dirty niche deep in the darkest part of loath'd Fleet Ditch." The manuscript contains numerous satirical footnotes which are quotations from Hawkins' own work.

August 08, 2005

Charles Burney, The Trial of Midas the Second, or Congress of Musicians. James Marshall and Marie-Louise Osborn Collection, Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Yale University.

Charles Burney, The Trial of Midas the Second, or Congress of Musicians. James Marshall and Marie-Louise Osborn Collection, Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Yale University.