William Henry Husk

“ His real claim to distinction, however, is not his musicianship, but the energy, perseverance and success with which he advocated, and ultimately succeeded in procuring, the establishment of an Academy of Music in London, and the zeal with which, as its President, he strove at all times to advance its interests. ”

“ He was moreover an admirable actor, and was constantly allotted parts in which no singing was required. This rare union of the qualities of singer and actor peculiarly fitted him for such parts as the Clown in 'Twelfth Night,' and Autolycus in 'The Winter's Tale,' in both of which he excelled. He was the original Cymon in Michael Arne's opera of that name. Linley composed for him the well-known song in 'The School for Scandal.' He was for many years a favourite singer at Vauxhall. ”

“ He made such rapid progress that in the course of a few years Wells became the resort of lovers of music attracted by the beauty of his voice and excellence of his singing. His fame at length drew the attention of Sheridan and Linley, and he appeared in 1792 at the Bath concerts, in the concerts given at the King's Theatre during the rebuilding of Drury Lane, and also on the stage in Attwood's 'Prisoner.' He subsequently performed at Drury Lane in Attwood's 'Adopted Child,' Storage's 'Lodoiska,' and other pieces. ”

“ Arrived at manhood he embarked in business in his native city, but continued the practice of music as an amateur. He possessed a fine, rich, full-toned bass voice, and became not only solo vocalist, but an active manager of the principal amateur society in Norwich. ”

“ In 1875 an attempt was made, at Worcester, to alter the character of the performances in the cathedrals, by excluding oratorios and substituting church music interspersed with prayers. But this met with decided opposition and has not been repeated. The band at these festivals is composed of the best London professors, and the chorus comprises, in addition to the members of the Three Choirs, members of the local choral societies and others. The most eminent principal singers of the day are engaged for the solo parts. ”

“ Doc., son of John Stevenson, a violinist in the State Band in Dublin, was born in Dublin about 1762. In 1773 he was admitted a chorister of St. Patrick's and Christ Church Cathedrals, Dublin, and continued so until 1779. He afterwards became a vicar choral of both cathedrals, and a member of the choir of Trinity College, Dublin. He composed new music to O'Keeffe's farces, 'The Son-in-Law' and 'The Agreeable Surprise,' to enable them to be performed in Dublin, and also composed for the Irish stage the operas of 'The Contract,' 1783 ”

“ He has also composed many works for pianoforte and organ, and much vocal music, comprising anthems and services, songs, ballads, part-songs, etc. His part-song, 'Come, fill ye right merrily,' gained the prize given by Mr. Henry Leslie's Choir in 1858, and in April 1879 he was awarded both the first and second prizes given by Trinity College, London, for the best string quartet. Although an able pianist, he has, for some years past, rarely appeared in public, having devoted himself almost exclusively to teaching, in which he is much esteemed. ”

“ In 1798 fireworks were occasionally introduced, and afterwards became one of the permanent attractions of the place. The favour shown by the Prince of Wales (afterwards George IV.) , made the Gardens the resort of the fashionable world, and the galas given during the Regency, on the occasions and the anniversaries of the several victories over Napoleon, attracted immense numbers of persons. During that period the prosperity of the establishment culminated. ”

“ Thomas Lindsay, the most celebrated of English clarinettists, was the son of a German who, in the latter half of the 18th century, came to England and became master of a military band. The time and place of the younger Willman's birth are unknown. After being a member of a military band and of various orchestras he became, about 1816, principal clarinet in the Opera and other chief orchestras, and also master of the Grenadier Guards' band. ”

“ The Society also possesses some interesting original portraits, statuary, and autograph letters. It is in constitution an essentially amateur body, none but amateurs being eligible for membership, and the governing committee being chosen by and from the members. Every member is required to take some part in the orchestra, and a strict examination as to his qualification for so doing is made prior to his admission. The most eminent professors are engaged as principal vocalists and instrumentalists, the rest of the band and the whole of the chorus being amateurs. ”

“ In March 1814 she was engaged at the Concert of Ancient Music, where she was at once allotted all the principal soprano songs, and later in the year she sang at the festivals at Norwich and Birmingham. She continued at Covent Garden until 1822, when she broke with the managers on a question of terms and transferred her services to Drury Lane. She occupied the principal position on the English operatic stage, at the first concerts, and the festivals, until 1835, when she retired into private life. ”

“ After his death his business passed into the hands of William Randall, who commenced the publication of Handel's works, in score, in a complete form. He used Walsh's plates, when applicable, for the songs, and had new ones stamped for the recitatives and choruses, the contrast of style between the two being often very striking. One of his publications ('Messiah') bears the imprint of 'Randall & Abell.' He was succeeded by Henry Wright, who continued the publication of Handel's works in a complete form, and published several of the oratorios, etc. of the great master. ”

“ He first sang at the Meetings of the Three Choirs at Worcester in 1863, at Birmingham Festival in 1864, and at the Handel Festival at the Crystal Palace in 1862, and has since maintained his position as the first English singer of his class, and during a tour in the United States in 1871 reaped substantial honours there also. Mr. Santley's accomplishments are not confined to music. He has adapted 'Joconde' to the English stage, and is an enthusiastic amateur painter. ”

“ ROBINSON, Thomas, was author of a curious work published at London in folio in 1603, bearing the following title—'The Schoole of Musicke: wherein is taught the perfect method of the true fingering of the Lute, Pandora, Orpharion, and Viol de Gamba; with most infallible general rules both easie and delightfull. ”

“ TANS'UR, William, who is variously stated to have been born at Barnes, Surrey, in 1699, and at Dunchurch, Warwickshire, in 1700, and who was successively organist at Barnes, Ewell, Leicester, and St. Neot's, compiled and edited several collections of psalm tunes, and was author of some theoretical works. ”

“ Richard, son of William Walond of Oxford, born 1754, matriculated from Christ Church, Oxford, July 14, 1770. He was a clerk of Magdalen College, Oxford, from March 24, 1775 until 1776. On March 14, 1776, he took the degree of B. A. as of New College, and was subsequently a vicar choral of Hereford Cathedral. George, another son of W. Walond of Oxford, was a chorister of Magdalen Coll., Oxford, from April 13, 1768 until 1778. ”

“ In 1836 he was director of the music at Covent Garden. He was author of several farces and other dramatic pieces, amongst which were 'Teddy the Tiler' (written for Tyrone Power, and eminently successful) , 'The Chimney-piece,' 'My Own Lover,' 'The Pride of Birth,' 'The Student of Lyons,' 'My Wife's out,' and 'The Seven Maids of Munich'; of three novels, 'Old London Bridge,' 'Memoirs of an Umbrella,' and 'Woman's Love' ”

“ He resigned his organistship at King's College at Christmas, 1726, when he was paid £10 in addition to his stipend. He then repaired to London, where he passed the remainder of his life. He was employed by Edward, Lord Harley, afterwards Earl of Oxford, to collect musical compositions for him, and, amongst others, transcribed, between 1715 and 1720, an important collection of Cathedral Music in 6 thick 4to. vols., now in the British Museum (Harl. MSS. 7337–7342) , an Evening Service, 18 anthems, and a Latin motet by Tudway himself being included in it. ”

“ WARWICK, Thomas, of the family of Warwick, or Warthwyke, of Warvvicke, Cumberland, was, in 1625, a musician for the lute to Charles I. On July 1 in the same year he was sworn organist of the Chapel Royal in the place of Orlando Gibbons. On March 29, 1630, he was mulcted of a month's salary 'because he presumed to play verses one the organ at service tyme, beinge formerly inhibited by the Deane from doinge the same, by reason of his insufficiency for that solemne service.' Anthony Wood says he was organist of Westminster Abbey, but there is no evidence to support the assertion. ”

“ Another son, Richard, born 1758, was organist of St. Ann's, Manchester. In Sept. 1782 he was chosen to succeed his brother, Robert, as organist of St. Peter's, Liverpool, which he afterwards quitted for the organistship of St. James, Toxteth Park, Liverpool, but in 1813 resumed his place at St. Peter's. He published a collection of hymn-tunes of his composition. His glee, 'Life's a bumper,' was very popular. ”

“ He was also organist at Pembroke College. In 1681 he graduated as Mus. Bac. at Cambridge. On Jan. 30, 1704–5, he was chosen as Professor of Music in the University on the death of Dr. Staggins. Shortly afterwards he proceeded Mus. Doc., his exercise for which—an anthem, 'Thou, O God, hast heard our desire'—was performed in King's College Chapel on April 16, in the presence of Queen Anne, who bestowed upon the composer the honorary title of Composer and Organist extraordinary to her. ”

“ In 1659 he published 'The Division Violist, or, An Introduction to the Playing upon a Ground,' dedicated to his patron, Sir Robert Bolles, for the instruction of whose son he tells us the book was originally prepared, with commendatory verses by Dr. Charles Colman, John Jenkins, Matthew Lock, John Carwarden, and Edward Galsthorp, prefixed. In 1665 he published a second edition with a Latin translation printed in parallel columns with the English text, and the double title, 'Chelys, Minuritionum Artificio Exornata sive, Minuritiones ad Basin, etiam Ex-tempore Modulandi Ratio. ”

“ She had now reached the zenith of her reputation, when her career was suddenly arrested by a heavy visitation. Her husband became deranged, and the calamity so seriously shocked her whole system that the vocal organs became affected and she was unable to sing in tune. ”

“ SANDYS, William, F.S.A., born 1792, educated at Westminster School, and afterwards called to the bar, is entitled to mention here as editor of 'Christmas Carols, Ancient and Modern, including the most popular in the West of England, with the Tunes to which they are sung. ”

“ Evensong has taken the place of Matins; and modern compositions by various living composers, often written expressly for the festival, have been introduced. Handel's immortal 'Hallelujah,' from Messiah, however, still retains its place. The dinners are held in the hall of the Merchant Taylors' Company. ”

“ There was also a rotunda in which the concert was given in bad weather. In 1737 an organ was erected in the orchestra in the Gardens, and James Worgan appointed organist. An organ concerto formed, for a long series of years, a prominent feature in the concerts. On the opening of the Gardens on May 1, 1738, Roubiliac's statue of Handel (expressly commissioned by Tyers) , was first exhibited. [1] In 1745 Arne was engaged as composer, and Mrs. Arne and Lowe as singers. ”

“ She endeavoured to gain a livelihood by teaching singing, but, although she was well qualified for it, the ignorant public concluded that, as she herself had lost the power of singing, she was incapable of instructing others. She re-married a Rev. Mr. Hinde, who died leaving her totally destitute. A concert was given for her relief, June 24, 1840, which proved a complete failure. She gradually sank into a state of the greatest poverty, and was dependent upon the bounty of those who had known her in prosperity for subsistence. ”

“ Besides the before-named works he wrote and adapted with great skill English words to Mozart's 'Requiem,' Graun's 'Tod Jesu,' Schneider's 'Sündfluth,' Spohr's 'Vater Unser,' Haydn's 'Jahreszeiten,' and a very large number of compositions introduced in his lectures. He was for many years music critic to 'The Spectator' newspaper. ”

“ Among his best glees may be mentioned 'Ye spotted snakes,' 'Blow, blow, thou winter wind,' 'Crabbed age and youth,' 'Sigh no more, ladies,' 'The cloud-capt towers,' 'From Oberon in fairy land,' 'Some of my heroes are low,' 'Prithee, foolish boy,' 'To be gazing on those charms,' and 'Strike the harp in the praise of Bragela,' all of which still retain their popularity with lovers of that class of composition. ”

“ SALMON, Eliza, whose maiden name was Munday, was born at Oxford in 1787. Her mother's family had produced several good musicians; her uncle, William Mahon (born 1753, died at Salisbury, May 2, 1816) , was the best clarinetist of his day ”

“ Up to that period, even at the provincial festivals, it was very rarely that any complete oratorio, except Handel's 'Messiah' was performed, whilst the programmes of the so-called 'Oratorios' at the two patent theatres on the Wednesdays and Fridays in Lent were a mongrel mixture of oratorio songs and choruses, secular songs of all kinds, and instrumental solos. The first concert given in the Large Hall on the Society's own account was Handel's 'Messiah,' on Dec. 20, 1836, the orchestra consisting of about 300 performers. In 1837 the works performed included Mendelssohn's 'St. ”