1784—London, England

According to Charles Burney, there is considerable difficulty locating 6 trombonists for the upcoming Handel Festival: “In order to render the band as powerful and complete as possible, it was determined to employ every species of instrument that was capable of producing grand effects in a great orchestra, and spacious building. Among these, the sacbut, or double trumpet, was sought; but so many years had elapsed since it had been used in this kingdom, that, neither the instrument, nor a performer upon it, could easily be found. It was, however, discovered, after much useless enquiry, not only here, but by letter, on the continent, that in his Majesty’s military band there were six musicians who played the three several species of sacbut; tenor, base, and double base” (Burney Westminster 7). Burney’s roster of performers, under the heading TROMBONI, or SACBUTS, includes 6 names, along with the following note: “These performers played on other instruments, when the sacbuts were not wanted” (Burney Westminster 19). The chart of the orchestral layout has the trombones labeled Trombonis (Burney, Westminster).