The Letters of Dr Charles Burney: Volume I: 1751-1784

`This much needed edition of Charles Burney's letters makes a central contribution to the current spate of editions of sources for the Burneys and their circle. Ribeiro's presentation of the documents is full and helpful; Ribeiro's annotation is both generous and to the point; By supplying this kind of detailed documentation across the impressively wide range of topics covered in the letters ... Ribeiro brings out the breadth of scholarly uses to which these letters lend themselves.' Music and Letters
`Many of the letters have never been printed before, or are only available in heavily cut versions, and the editor has supplied admirable explanatory commentaries ... Although the collection is a welcome addition to our knowledge of the Johnson milieu, its main value lies in the comments about music.' William St Clair, Financial Times
`very readable, not only as a monument to late eighteenth century taste but also because he remains an interesting companion.' Bruce Pattison, Contemporary Review
`This edition presents a scrupulous text (including Fanny Burney's coded rating of each item), with Burney's spelling, punctuation and deletions retained. ... This is in all senses a scholar's edition. ... Every passing face, phrase and innuendo is explained, quotations are wondrously identified, but frequently not translated, nor are letters in Burney's very personal versions of Italian or French - such faith does the editor have in the erudition of his readers. The reader can, reciprocally, have complete faith in the erudition of Fr Ribeiro and only wonder at the quantity of information digested and processed in the twenty years of this project. The best news is that the next volumes will be the work of the same editor; he rivals his subject in possessing everything "necessary for explaining, confirming, & illustrating in such a manner as to make my book intelligible & amusing".' Christopher Hogwood, The Times Literary Supplement
`... this volume is magnificently edited and annotated, contains many previously unpublished letters from Burney's most active years, and is a treasure-trove of quotable trivia. Reccommended for all libraries serving lovers of the period.' W. Metcalfe, Choice No 92
'This much needed edition of Charles Burney's letters makes a central contribution to the current spate of editions of sources for the Burneys and their circle. Ribiero's presentaiton of the documents is full and helpful ... Ribiero brings out the breadth of scholarly use to which these letters lend themselves.' Valerie Rumbold, Music & Letters
'This much needed edition of Charles Burney's letters makes a central contribution to the current spate of editions of sources for the Burneys and their circle. By supplying this kind of detailed documentation across the impressively wide range of topics covered in the letters ... Ribiero brings out the breadth of scholarly uses to which these letters lend themselves.' Music & Letters