b.Rome 1746, d.London 1825
Composer, music publisher and teacher.
In 1770 his opera La Raminga Fedele was produced and after meeting Edward Burney in Rome, he was invited on the latter’s recommendation to conduct the concerts of the Musical Society of Edinburgh.
Corri arrived in Scotland with his wife and family, his wife once having been one of his singing pupils, on a contract initially for three years. He became manager of Vauxhall pleasure gardens in London and the Theatre Royal in Edinburgh.
Corri suffered from financial difficulties on various occasions. In 1779 a music publishing business was established in the name of his son John, and after being in business alone for about a year, James Sutherland joined him and the firm continued until the latter’s death in 1790.
About this time Domenico Corri moved to London and became a music publisher in Soho, specialising in publishing vocal music.In 1774 his opera Alessandro nell’Indie was produced, and his son-in-law Jan Ladislav Dussek joined the publishing firm in 1794. Further financial problems faced Corri, and about 1800 Dussek fled abroad, leaving Corri to carry on the business which was eventually taken over by his son Montague in 1804. In 1806 The Travellers, Domenico Corri’s most successful opera was produced. From about 1820, Corri’s health deteriorated.
Corri lived at the time when the practice of the figured bass was in decline and he devised a new system of accompaniments and this can be seen in his publication “A select Collection of the most admired songs, etc.” (3 volumes) of which there are two copies in the Wighton Collection, all 3 volumes also being available on microfiche.
In “The Singer’s Preceptor”, published 1810, there is an autobiographical note by Corri himself (dated 1st November ), ending with the following delightfully obvious publicity for his wife’s contributions to the family income; NB Mrs Corri also instructs in vocal and instrumental music.(!)
There is also a copy of “The Singer’s Preceptor” in the Wighton Collection.
Beware of Love
Sung by Mr. Braham in the opera of “The Travellers” or “Musics Fascination”, composed by D. Corri, written by Mr. Cherry.
The Grand Characteristic Overture to the Comic Opera of The Travellers or Music’s Fascination
Now performing with unbounded applause at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, composed by D. Corri.
New and Complete Collection of the Most Favourite Scots Songs
Including a few English and Irish, with proper graces and ornaments peculiar to their character, likewise the new method of accompanyment of thorough bass.
Select Collection of the Most Admired Songs, etc
From operas in the highest esteem and from other works, in Italian, English, French, Scotch, Irish, etc., etc. In 3 books.
Vol. 1. Italian songs, rondeaus, , etc. Vol. 2. English songs, , terzetts, etc. Vol. 3. National airs, notturni, rondos, canzonette, duettini, terzetti, catches, and glees, all in their respective languages.
The music divided into phrases, sentences marked by points, with appropriate graces, cadences, etc., and accurate directions for the management of the voice; also an accompaniment arranged on a plan to enable any harpsichord player to accompany himself although unaquanted with the rules of thorough bass.
All volumes on microfiche.
The Singers Preceptor; or, Corris Treatise on Vocal Music, calculated to teach the art of singing
Proper rules to assist those who sing by ear only, so arranged as to enable the pupil to improve by their exercise in the absence of a master; with a selection of English, Scotch, Italian, and French songs, duets, etc., also cadenzas, graces, and other ornaments, and an accompaniment for the pianoforte; with memoirs of the author’s professional life. 2 vols. in 1.
A Select Collection of 40 of the most Favorite Scots Songs
With symphonies, graces, and accompaniments for the pianoforte. 4th edn.
Twenty-four New Country Dances for the Year 1797
With their proper figures for the harp, pianoforte, and violin, as performed at the Prince of Waless and other assemblies.
Seated female figure; pillar to left with score (Old System) affixed to base; upper right a cherub holds a score of Corri’s New System.
