The British Musical Biography

[E] Bates, Joah, musician, and one of the
founders of the Handel Commemoration, was
born at Halifax in March, 1749. Instructed in
music by Hartley, organist at Rochdale ; and
R. Wainwright, organist, of Manchester. He
resided for a time at Eton and Cambridge, and
became private secretary to the Earl of
Sandwich. In 1767 he graduated M.A. at
Cambridge, and in 1776 he was apiDointed
Commissioner of the Victualling Office. He
established the Concert of Ancient Music,
1776, and acted as conductor till 1793. Found-
ed Handel Commemoration (with Sir W. W.
Wynn and Viscount Fitzwilliam), 1783. He
died in London, June 8, 1799.

[+] The "Handel Commemoration " with which
Bates is chiefly identified was, in its time, a
much talked of enterprise. No such gather
ing of a large body of musicians had ever
before taken place, and the extensive arrange-
ments undertaken in connection with it caused
sufficient stir to assure its success. The vocal-
ists who held the principle parts on the occa-
sion of the first public performance were —
Miss Cantelo, Miss Abrams, Mdlle Mara, Miss
Harwood, Signors Bartolini and Tasca ; and
Messrs. Harrison, Dyne, Champness, Bellamy,
Corfe, Norris, Knyvett, Clerk, Reinhold, and
Matthieson. Bates conducted, and the festi-
val took enormously. The first performance
was in Westminster Abbey, on May 26,
1784. Second and third performances were
given on May 27 and 29. The programme
included "The Messiah," The Dettingen Te
Deum, a Coronation Anthem, and miscellane-
ous selections from Handel's works.

[+] As regards Bates it can be said that he was
a famous conductor, and in every respect a
musician of great knowledge and administra-
tive ability. He did not compose anything so
far as we can learn, but appears to be widely
known among musicians of every grade during
his lifetime. He is somewhat roughly handled
by the Scotch poet, A. Macdonald, in "Moni-
tory Madrigals to Musical Amateurs," Nos. 3
and 4, contained in his Miscellaneous Works,
1791. He was married to Saeah Harrop, a
soprano vocalist, who is noticed under her
own name. ,

entry id: 34-L-47