RPS MS 394

Catalogue of individual vocal numbers in the Society’s music library; compiled 1833, with additions to 1899. Printed title-page (f. 1r): ‘Theme Catalogue of ... Vocal Music Belonging to the Philharmonic Society London ... Joseph Calkin Librarian 1833’. All numbers (up to 2134), headings and the initial entries are the work of William Goodwin. Additions, similar to RPS MS 395, the slightly later catalogue of orchestral music, are in the hands of Alfred Mapleson, A[lfred] G[ilbert] and others. Divided into ‘Italian’ (also including a small number of items with French and German words) and ‘English’ sections, allocated according to the language of the version in the library rather than of the original. Within each section the arrangement is by format (arias or songs, duets, trios etc.), and within each by voice or combination of voices. A contents list of categories is given on ff. 2r-5r. Italian arias occupy ff. 6v-40r, ff. 121v-122r, and ensembles ff. 40v-121r, 122v-158r; English airs occupy ff. 158v-166r, ensembles 166v-186v. Catalogue numbers are allocated in blocks to allow for expansion; all sections include many blank numbers, apart from Italian soprano arias which is full and continued on ff. 121v-122r. At the end (ff. 184r-186v, including inserted leaves) is a supplementary list all of works with chorus. The order of items within each category appears random and is not alphabetical by composer. The entries occupy complete openings with, on the verso, catalogue number, title or first line, type of piece (aria, scena, etc.), work from which it comes, and composer, and on the recto, incipit (‘Theme’) and ‘Observations’ (details of parts). As in RPS MS 395, sets of parts are initially described as ‘Complete’ or ‘Single Set’ but subsequently annotated with detailed numbers of string parts.

ff. i + 186. 240 x 285mm. Rebound in quarter leather and cloth, with part of old upper cover, lettered in similar style to RPS MS 395 ‘Philharmonic Society. Vocal Music’ pasted inside the front cover. On paper with watermark date 1831.

William Goodwin, music copyist: Alfred Mapleson, music librarian and copyist: Alfred Gilbert, pianist and composer: Catalogue of vocal numbers in the library of the Philharmonic Society , with entries in the hand of William Goodwin, and additions in the hands of Alfred Mapleson and Alfred Gilbert: 1833-99.