The discovery of the diaries of Richard Randall (1736-1826) in the Archives at Dulwich College has provided a happy coincidence with the return of Christ’s Chapel’s celebrated organ and the 250th anniversary of the death of George Handel, and has led to an unmissable, candlelit musical evening on 7 December (details below).
The restored 1760 organ by George England
Richard Randall was appointed organist at what is usually known as the College Chapel in 1762, just two years after the ‘new ‘ organ by George England was installed. Randall would remain at the College as organist until he resigned to marry in 1783. His diaries give a vivid insight into the busy life of a professional musician in the second half of the eighteenth century.
He was a favourite singer of George II, appeared at the Opera House, Covent Garden, Theatre Royal Drury Lane and the Theatre Royal Haymarket where he was a principal tenor and where he sang many of the arias from Handel’s oratorios. He was also in great demand for private concerts as both a singer and a harpsichordist. He performed regularly at Vauxhall and Marylebone Gardens and at Thomas Coram’s Foundling Hospital. He was also a noted organist, playing frequently at Westminster Abbey.
Between this busy professional life he was regularly (but not always assiduously) attending to his duties as organist and music teacher at Dulwich College. As a young and eligible bachelor able to provide gossip from the most fashionable quarters and with an expensive taste in clothes, he was naturally sought after by all of Dulwich’s hostesses and invitations for breakfast, dinner, tea and supper arrived on a daily basis. He escorted dozens of young Dulwich ladies to dances and assemblies and had two particular loves in his life – his music pupil, Sally le Coeur and his cousin Nancy.
Brian Green has written and devised The Dulwich Assembly – a Georgian Entertainment which will be performed in costume and by candlelight with orchestra, harpsichord and organ, recalling the life and loves of Richard Randall and his musical career in opera, the stage and as organist, on behalf of the Friends of Dulwich Picture Gallery.
The programme will include arias from Messiah, Semele, Acis & Galatea (Handel), Organ voluntaries (Stanley), works by Boyce, Arne, Concerto for organ (Handel)
The Dulwich assembly – a Georgian Entertainment will be performed at Christ’s Chapel, Dulwich Village at 7.30pm Monday 7 December. Tickets £18 (includes a seasonal drink)
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