A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Felix Meritis
FELIX MERITIS, an institution in Amsterdam that includes with the performance of music the cultivation of letters, art, and science. It occupies a building architecturally important, with a large concert-room, library, and observatory, situated on the Keizersgracht, one of the larger canals. Orchestral concerts take place in the winter, similar to those of the London Philharmonic and the Crystal Palace: they are at the present time conducted by the eminent Dutch musician, Heer Joh. J. H. Verhulst. The usual number is 10, and the subscription is equivalent to £5. The early history of Felix Meritis has been narrated by Professor Jorisson on the occasion of the Centenary, Nov. 2, 1877. It was founded in 1777, beginning its existence on the Leliegracht (Lily Canal) of Amsterdam. The founders intended it to be 'for the furtherance of laudable and useful arts and sciences; the augmentation of reason and virtue; the increase and prosperity of trade, navigation, agriculture, and fishery,' etc., etc. But Felix began at once with music and fine art, adding literature to the scheme two years later. The original locale soon proved to be too small, and in May 1782 the members removed to the Vorburgwal. In 1785 continued increase determined the erection of the present building on the Keizersgracht, completed three years after, and with 400 members, instead of, as at first, 40. (On May 1, 1876, the number of members of all classes was 324.) The wave of disturbance caused by the French Revolution washed over Felix Meritis, and in 1792, through want of funds, the concerts ceased. However, the leaders of the institution would not allow it to sink in the vortex of political speculation; and, in the abolition of societies throughout Holland this one was exempted. During the clatter of weapons the Muses were silent, but in 1800 the complement of members was again full, and in 1806 the reading-room, long closed during the prohibition of newspapers, opened again. In that year Louis Bonaparte, made King of Holland, offered his protection, which was declined, as was also the proposal that the public business of the country should be carried on in the building. Napoleon I. and Marie Louise, were however later received in it. In these troubled times the music of Felix Meritis tended to soften the feelings of distress and almost despair of the Amsterdam patriots; yet that solace ceased once more towards the close of 1813, the country being in a state of insurrection against the French. After 1815 came peace and the gentle arts again, and within the last thirty years great has been the spiritual harvest of the 'happy through their deserts'! [App. p.635 "the society ceased to exist in 1888."]
The name Felix Meritis was more than once applied by Robert Schumann to Felix Mendelssohn; see 'Gesammelte Schriften' (Leipzig, 1854), i. 219; also i. 191, 92, and 93.[ A. J. H. ]