Music

This class contains a volume of seventy-three printed songs mainly by Charles Dibdin (1745-1814) and autographed or initialled by him, but also including works by Charles Dibdin the Younger (1768-1833) and Thomas Dibdin (1771-1841); many of these songs have naval subjects such as 'Jervis for Ever', 'The Death of Nelson' and the 'Blind Sailor'. The volume was probably compiled by Thomas Legard whose name it bears with the date 1806. There is also a full score, in manuscripts, of a cantata entitled 'The Sea Engagement' celebrating the Battle of the Nile, August 1798, and composed shortly afterwards. The work, both words and music, is by Adam Kroll. who describes himself as an 'amateur', and is dedicated to Nelson. Arranged for an orchestra of forty-three performers, it consists of an overture, a descriptive instrumental piece, two airs and a duet.

Administrative / biographical background
Music - volumes