One of the best reasons I known for being involved in various forms of art is the quality of life and longevity it often provides, especially to those who are good at it. When the best of Booker literary prize was first awarded, the average age of nominees was 75.
This is an abbreviated list of the age of musicians when they died, from the Morning Post 27 September 1836. I’m sure the pattern continues, except for the rock n roll drug victims:
W. Byrd 80, Dr Burney 88, Cecilia Davis (soprano) 79, Farinelli 77, Geminiani 96, Gluck 75, Guglielmi 77, Handel 75, Haydn 76, Palestrina 81, Scarlatti 78
Cut off in their prime: Bellini 29, Mozart 36, Purcell 37
texthistory 