James Bartleman (singer)
James Bartleman (1769–1821), was an
Life
Bartleman was born 19 September 1769. He was educated under Dr. Cooke, of
He made his first appearance as a bass singer in 1788 at the Concerts of Ancient Music, and he kept up his connection with that institution, with only one break, until compelled by ill-health to resign.[1] In 1792, he sang the lead in the premiere of Harriet Wainwright's opera Comala. During the seasons 1792–4 he quit the Ancient Concerts for the concerts newly established by Harrison and Knyvett,[2] where he held the post of leading bass. Though he is usually called a bass singer, his voice seems to have had rather the character of a baritone, for a contemporary critic, in the London Magazine for 1820 speaks of its being incomparably more agreeable and effective than a bass, and also compares it to the violoncello. His compass was of unusual extent, from E below the bass stave to G above it. The same critic tells us that his intonation was wonderfully true, and that his richness and equality of tone resulted in part from his peculiarities of pronunciation; as instances of which, the words "die" and "smile" are given as "doy"’ and "smawele".[1]
Bartleman greatly admired Purcell's solos, and, at the 1796 season of the Ancient Concerts,
References
- ^ a b c d e Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co. 1885–1900. .
- ^ a b c Froude, James Anthony; Tulloch, John (1853). "Memoir of James Bartleman". Fraser's Magazine. 48: 166.
This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: "Bartleman, James". Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co. 1885–1900.