Baroque music of the British Isles produce an indigenous tradition. However, arguably the most significant British composer of the era, George Frideric Handel, was a naturalised German, who helped integrate British and continental music and define the future of the classical music of the United Kingdom that would be officially formed in 1801. With the Restoration of the monarchy in 1660, Charles II made the court once more the centre of musical patronage in Britain, the theatres were reopened and, after the introduction of a new Book of Common Prayer in 1662, choral music began to be developed again. The king's time on the continent, his
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