Event Comment: London Gazette, No 742, 26-30 Dec. 1672:
These are to give Notice, that at
Mr John Banister's House, now called
the Musick School, over against
the George Tavern in
White Fryers this present Monday, will be Musick performed by Excellent Masters, beginning precisely at four of
the Clock in
the afternoon, and every afternoon for
the future, precisely at
the same hour.
Roger North on Music: But how and by what stepps Musick shot up in to such request, as to croud out from
the stage even comedy itself, and to sit downe in her place and become of such mighty value and price as wee now know it to be, is worth inquiring after.
The first attempt was low: a project of old Banister, who was a good violin, and a
theatricall composer. He opened an obscure room in a publik house in White fryars; filled it with tables and seats, and made a side box with curtaines for
the musick. 1s. a peice, call for what you please, pay
the reckoning, and Welcome gentlemen. Here came most of
the shack [vagabond] performers to towne, and much company to hear; and divers musicall curiositys were presented, as, for instance, Banister himself, upon a flageolett in consort, which was never heard before nor since, unless imitated by
the high manner upon
the violin. But this lasted not long, nor ano
ther meeting of like kind neer
Paul's (headed by one
Ben. Wallington) for voices to an organ, where who would, that was gifted, might performe, and no payment, but
the reckoning (ed.
John Wilson [
London, 1959], pp. 302-3)