OF Music, HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL; IN A SERIES OF LETTERS FROM A GENTLEMAN TO HIS DAUGHTER. BY A. BURGH, A. M. IN THREE VOLUMES. VOL. III. LONDON: PRINTED FOR LONGMAN, HURST, REES, ORME, AND BROWN, PATERNOSTER ROW. ANECDOTES OF MUSIC, &c. &c. LETTER LI. September 15, 1813. ARRIVAL OF HANDEL, AND PROGRESS OF the ITALIAN OPERA IN ENGLAND. An event of great consequence to the opera, and to the musical taste of this country in general, happened about the end of the year 1710. This was the arrival of GEORGE FREDERICK HANDEL, Who came hither on a visit of curiosity, and in compliance with an invitation from several English noblemen, with whom he had made acquaintance at the court of Hanover, but without any design of continuing in England. After making the tour of Italy, he had entered into the service of the Elector of Hanover, a prince, who had given proofs of his love for music, and good taste and knowledge in the art, |