Music for the Royal Fireworks made clear to Handel that King George had a preference for only martial instruments and drums, and hoped there would be "no fiddles". Handel omitted the string instruments against his will. Also against Handel's will, there was a full rehearsal of the music in Vauxhall Gardens and not in Green Park. On 21 April 1749 an audience, claimed to be over twelve thousand people, each paying two shillings and six pence (half a crown) rushed to get there, causing a three-hour traffic jam of carriages on London Bridge, the only vehicular route to the area south of the river. Six
1991 in British music husband Gerald, was one of the most notable events on the classical music scene. Harrison Birtwistle's opera, "Gawain", with a libretto by David Harsent, was performed for the first time on 30 May at the Royal Opera House. The 1991 BRIT Awards winners were: 1991 in British music This is a summary of 1991 in music in the United Kingdom, including the official charts from that year. Like 1990, this year saw 17 songs at number 1. The first number 1 of the year surprisingly came from heavy metal band Iron Maiden, scoring their first and only number one "Bring