Henry Davey

“ Italian opera in London seemed for the time on the verge of extinction; but in 1888 Augustus Harris took Covent Garden with a very strong financial backing, against which Mapleson could not contend. New enterprises on Mapleson's part were often reported later; he succeeded in opening the Academy of Music at New York in 1896, but the rivalry of the Metropolitan Opera-house soon compelled him to close his season. He died in London of Bright's disease on 14 Nov. ”

“ In 1850 she sang in opera at Rome; then at Lisbon, and on 18 July 1851 re-appeared in London, singing in Handel's 'Messiah' at Exeter Hall. Her embellishments brought some disapprobation, though her voice was pronounced to have gained in strength, and to have lost nothing of its beauty. She took the place of leading English concert soprano, appearing only once again in England in opera, in 'I Puritani' at Drury Lane on 5 July 1853. At Milan she sang in opera during the carnivals from 1854-6. In England her singing was regarded as the embodiment of the best traditions of the Handelian style ”

“ Amid Dutch surroundings Helen was taught music by her mother, and quickly showed the possession of a rich and pure soprano voice. At an early age she sang in the Roman catholic church at Rotterdam and fascinated the congregation. Her serious studies were begun in 1852 at the Brussels Conservatoire under Cornelis; in 1855 she was awarded the first prize for singing and elocution. Already in great request as a concert-singer abroad, she became betrothed to Nicolas Jacques Lemmens (1823-1881) , an organist, who induced her to return to England in 1856. ”

“ Besides his extensive practice at the Royal Academy he also became in 1896 a teacher at the Royal College, sharing in the management of both institutions. He was much in request as an adjudicator in competitions, and would give his verdicts in well-chosen words, with practical advice that proved of value to the unsuccessful candidates. He was an honorary member of the Philharmonic Society of Madrid, and in 1892 the King of Italy raised him to the rank of Cavaliere. ”

“ PROUT, EBENEZER (1835–1909) , musical composer, organist, and theorist, the son of a dissenting minister, was born at Oundle, Northamptonshire, on 1 March 1835, He studied at London University, graduating B.A. in 1854, and showing a gift for languages; but music was his passion from an early period. After acting as school-master for some years he devoted himself to the musical profession, in spite of strong opposition from his father. Though he had some pianoforte lessons from Charles Kensington Salaman, he was almost entirely self-taught. ”

“ In 1845 he toured in Russia. In 1846 he returned to England, where he at once became a principal figure in London musical life. His small figure and serious spectacled face were thenceforth familiar for half a century to all London concert-goers. ”

“ At the persuasion of his brother, he entered the Royal Academy of Music in October 18i2, learning the pianoforte under W. H. Holmes and composition under his own brother and Cipriani Potter. In January 1846 he became a sub-professor of the pianoforte, and remained on the staff of the Royal Academy fifty-seven years, for many years lecturing there six times annually as well as teaching the piano. He always remained a sound performer of the older school. ”

“ His mother, a Tuscan lady, was an amateur musician, but the boy showed no musical taste till at the age of thirteen he played without preparation a tune with correct melody and harmonies. He was then placed under Tivoli, of Trieste Cathedral, and afterwards under Lafont, for pianoforte. He studied composition under Ricci. In 1852-4 he conducted at several theatres in Italy and Dalmatia, composed ballets, and collaborated in an opera buffa. His grand opera 'Bianca Capello' was produced at Brescia, with a success that brought him an offer to conduct it in America. ”

“ The academy declined after the revolution of 1830, and Clara, who had had unpleasant experiences of the fighting, returned to England. On 22 Oct. 1832 she made her first public appearance, in a concert at Windsor, with full success ; and in December she took the soprano part in Beethoven's 'Missa Solennis,' a remarkable feat for a girl of fourteen. She was soon among the first singers of the day, being engaged at the whole series of Ancient Concerts, at the Philharmonic Concerts, and the Three Choirs Festival. She sang in a sestet, Grisi leading, at the Handel commemoration in June 1834 ”

“ Early in life he showed musical and other artistic talents, and while still a boy composed a song. After acting as tuner in London and Nottingham, he became an art student at South Kensington. Though he had no musical training, he won a scholarship at the National Training School for Music, where he studied under Prout, Stainer, and Bridge ”

“ Her mother, whose maiden surname was Johnson, a beautiful and promising young singer, retired from the profession on her marriage. A sister José enjoyed some success as a soprano singer.
At the time of Helen's birth the family were ruined by a bank failure. In 1838 her father obtained an appointment at Rotterdam, where good music was available both publicly and privately. ”

“ In 1862 he won the first prize in a competition for a new string quartet, instituted by the Society of British Musicians, and in 1865 their prize for a pianoforte quartet; this work was occasionally played for several decades. A pianoforte quintet was still more successful. From 1861 to 1885 Prout was professor of the pianoforte at the Crystal Palace School of Art. ”

“ Afterwards he turned into the beaten tracks of English musical composition, and produced the cantatas 'Hereward' (1878) , 'Alfred' (1882) , 'Freedom' (1885) , 'Queen Aimee' (for female voices, 1885) , 'Psalm 100' (1886) , 'The Red-Cross Knight' (1887) , 'Damon and Phintias' (for male voices, 1889) , as well as three symphonies for orchestra, and overtures, 'Twelfth Night' and 'Rokeby.' A string quartet, a piano quartet, an organ concerto, and sonatas for piano, with flute (1882) and clarinet (1890) , failed to obtain much recognition. ”

“ After his death in 1895 King Edward VII, then Prince of Wales, became president of an influential committee which was formed to raise a fund for her benefit. As a result, the title-deeds of a palace at Asolo were presented to Lady Hallé. ”

“ PIATTI, ALFREDO CARLO (1822–1901) , violoncellist and composer, was born on 8 Jan. 1822 at Bergamo, where his father, Antonio Piatti, was leader of the town orchestra. At five years old he began to learn the violoncello under his great-uncle Zanetti, and at seven played in the orchestra, next year succeeding to Zanetti's place. In 1832 he obtained a five years' scholarship at the Conservatorio of Milan. At the end of his course he played in public a concerto of his own composition, and was presented with the violoncello he had used, on 21 Sept. ”

“ In 1871 she returned to America and became a prominent concert singer. Her voice had settled into a true contralto of exceptional power and richness. She came back to England at the beginning of 1873, but almost immediately returned to America, and toured with Theodore Thomas's orchestra; on 13 May she gave a farewell concert at Boston, Her first engagement in London was at the promenade concert of 6 Nov. ”

“ Gardoni and Belletti gave him like encouragement. In 1849 he organised an autumn concert tour. On the advice of Sims Reeves, he went to Milan and studied for three years under Mazzucato, and sang in opera at Lodi. ”

“ LUTZ, WILHELM MEYER, commonly known as Meyer Lutz (1829–1903) , musical composer, was born probably in 1829, though other dates have been given, at Münnerstadt, near Kiasingen, Bavaria where his father was organist and harmony professor at the Schullehier Anstalt Meyer Lutz, growing up in a musical atmosphere became a good pianist in childhood, and at twelve years old played in public with orchestral accompaniment. ”

“ She always retained the strongest appreciation of her training there ; Palestrina's music was much sung, and Clara ascribed her perfect sostenuto to having sung in Ms motets, and being obliged to hold the suspensions. ”

“ He afterwards studied at the Gymnasium, Würzburg. passing in due course to the university, and pursued his musical studies under Eisenhofer and Keller. In 1848 he was in England where he remained for life. He was organist of St. Chad's, Birmingham, and then of St. Ann's, Leeds. He conducted at the Surrey Theatre, London, 1861-6, and went on tours through the provinces with Italian operatic artists and the Pyne-Harrison company. He finally settled in as conductor at the newly opened Gaiety Theatre. ”

“ But on the advice of Sir Michael Costa he persevered, mastered the English language, and soon became known in London as a versatile musician equally capable as performer, conductor, and teacher. He took further lessons in composition in London from Bemhard Molique. In 1857 he conducted an opera season at St. ”

“ He then played in the Bergamo orchestra, taking trips with his father when there was a chance of pla3dng solos. After a time he went into Austria and Hungary, but fell ill at Pesth, and was obliged to sell his prize violoncello. Rescued by a Bergamo friend he returned home by way of Munich, where he met Liszt, and played at his concert. Liszt publicly embraced him, and he was thrice recalled. After appearing at Paris and Ems, he reached London, where he played in the opera orchestra and at private parties, and made his debut as soloist at Mrs. ”

“ Excellence of voice is not all that is required in the art of vocalisation' (Athenæum, 14 March) . Her popularity was undeniable, and she was engaged for the three choirs festival at Hereford. On Easter Sunday 1875 she was married at the Savoy Chapel to John MacKinlay, a Scotch American ”

“ On the occasion of his jubilee in 1896 he founded two prizes, gold medals for piano-forte-playing, at the Royal Academy. In 1904 he retired from all active work, save that of contributor to the 'Queen' ”

“ He was married three times—twice in early life and thirdly in 1897 to Wilhelmina Thellusson. By the second marriage he had a daughter. His portrait in oils was painted by John Pettie, R.A., in 1892. A cartoon portrait by 'Spy' appeared in 'Vanity Fair in 1895. ”