F.W.H. [F.W. Horncastle], ‘Plan for the Formation of an English Conservatorio’

Frederick William Horncastle (1795–1850) was a professional tenor, lecturer and writer on music of Irish origin, although he was born in London and began his musical life as a chorister at the Chapel Royal. As a church musician, he held posts at various London churches, at Armagh Cathedral and (from 1823) as a Gentleman of the Chapel Royal, also appearing in concerts and oratorio performances in London. He later specialised in the history of Irish music, and emigrated to Australia in 1847. Among his publications are the compilations Melodies of Many Nations (1836) and The Music of Ireland (1844). Horncastle was also a prolific contributor to the Quarterly Musical Magazine and Review, writing almost every issue from January 1821 to July 1827, on a range of topics including musical taste and oriental music.

This article refers to an earlier piece by Richard Mackenzie Bacon (under the pseudonym ‘Vetus’) published in July 1821, in which the educational contexts and opportunities of English and continental European musicians were contrasted, and the public urged to support English musical talent and general education. ¹ Further discussion of the new Royal Academy of Music was included in the QMMR vol. 4 no. 15 (1822), pp. 370–400 and vol. 4 no. 16 (1822), pp. 516–519.