English Opera and Song Books, 1703-1726: Their Contents, Publishing, Printing, and Bibliographical Description

Examination of opera and song books published in England from 1703 to 1726 provides the occasion for consideration of dissemination history and the infiltration of Italian musical style, musicians and texts into London's music-making; the publishing history of opera and song books; the techniques and materials used to print such books; and the problems of bibliographical description caused by engraved materials, particularly in the areas of title-page description, ideal copy, composite books, and the terms of bibliographic classification.

The bibliographic descriptions of 180 editions, impressions, or issues, complete with title-page plates, full contents' lists and indexes to song first lines, composers, librettists, adaptors, literary and stage works, singers, engravers, printers, and publishers, are derived from examination of 736 copies. The descriptions are primarily arranged in chronological order, the dates of publication being ascertained from London newspaper advertisements. New information on the publishing and printing of engraved music uncovered by this study considerably advances our knowledge of the sources of texts, subscription publishing, competitive editions, length of print runs, and the introduction of pewter plates and punches.