Matthew Gardner (Eberhard-Karls-Universität Tübingen, Germany), Alison DeSimone (University of Missouri, Kansas City)
In the early eighteenth century, the benefit performance became an essential component of commercial music-making in Britain. Benefits, adapted from the spoken theatre, provided a new model from which instrumentalists, singers, and composers could reap financial and professional rewards. Benefits could be given as theatre pieces, concerts, or opera performances for the benefit of individual performers; or in aid of specific organizations. The benefit changed Britain's musico-theatrical landscape during this time and these special performances became a prototype for similar types of events in...
In the early eighteenth century, the benefit performance became an essential component of commercial music-making in Britain. Benefits, adapted from t...
