More splendour? Additional Musicians at the Munich Court in the 18th Century

Abstract

Since the 17th century, the Munich court hired high numbers of musicians for opera and oratorio performances, balls and other entertainments at court. Up to 48 singers and 67 instrumentalists reenforced the Hofkapelle – not occasionally, but regularly. The c. 350 musicians drawn out of the documents (1728-1777) came from musical establishments with a close connection to the court, but to a great extent from the Munich town musicians, the Munich churches and the Jesuit college. The documents not only give a glance on musical life in Munich and not only document the intense musical exchange between the court and the city, but also give an insight into the circumstances of production. Rehearsal and performance dates reflect the complexity and success of a work. In sum, the high numbers of performers, which make the chorus a real chorus as we understand it today and enlarge the orchestra considerably, show that the Electors at this time were more concerned about the sound of the performance than about adding splendour to courtly spectacles.