The Gentleman's Amusement
CHOMBEC (Centre for the History of Music in Britain, the Empire and the Commonwealth)
The Gentleman’s Amusement was published c.1809 by instrument makers Bainbridge & Wood to promote their ‘patent flageolets.’ William Bainbridge had developed new types of flageolets (flutes similar to recorders), among them in 1805 a double flageolet. The scene capitalises on the pastoral connotations of the flageolet and is resolutely rustic, with field gate, cottage and sheep, though the players are in fashionable dress. A closer look reveals that someone has cheekily added little dots to the woman’s face and neck, charitably interpretable as freckles, but probably rather meant to be the smallpox.
- Item reference: Frank S. Brown Music Collection
- Photographer: Jamie Carstairs
- Copyright: University of Bristol
- This image is licensed for some educational use only. Users must abide by these terms and conditions.
