Complete Encyclopaedia of Music/A/Academy, royal
Academy, royal. The Royal Academy of Music was formed in England, for the performance of operas composed by Mr. Handel, and conducted by him at the theatre in the Haymarket. This institution attracted extraordinary attention, and continued to flourish for a consider-able time, with great reputation. The subscription amounted to £50,000 ; and the king, George I., subscribing £1000, allowed the society to assume the title of Royal Academy. It consisted of a governor, deputy governor, and twenty directors. A contest, however, betwixt Handel and Senesino, in which the directors took the part of the latter, occasioned the dissolution of the Academy, after it had existed for more than nine years. Dr. Busby says it was formed by subscription in the year 1720, for patronizing, supporting, and performing Italian operas, pasticcios, and intermezzi.