William Harrison (singer)
William Harrison (15 June 1813 – 9 November 1868) was an English tenor and opera impresario. He was best known for creating roles in new operas by British composers from the 1840s to the early 1860s. Among those who composed for him were William Vincent Wallace, Michael William Balfe and Julius Benedict. After working for Alfred Bunn at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, Harrison set up a company in partnership with the soprano Louisa Pyne, which enjoyed success in North America and London in the 1850s.
Life and career
Harrison was born in
in 1854 Harrison and the soprano Louisa Pyne led a company of British singers to North America. They opened in New York on 9 October with a repertory of light Italian and French operas, sung in English, together with The Bohemian Girl, Maritana and The Beggar's Opera. This venture was successful. In the summer season of 1855 the company had a 125-night run in New York and they toured throughout the next three years in major cities of Canada and the US. Returning to England in 1857 they staged similar repertory in London for the next seven seasons, premiering fifteen new British operas.[1][2]
By the 1860s Harrison's voice was in decline, and composers such as
Harrison married Ellen, daughter of the actress Maria Clifford. They had two sons: the elder, William, became rector of Clovelly; the younger son, Clifford, became a professional reciter. Harrison died of pneumonia at his home in Kentish Town, north London.[1]
References
- ^ a b c d Kingsford, C L. "Harrison, William (1813–1868)", rev. John Rosselli, Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, retrieved 14 April 2015 (subscription required)
- ^ a b c d e Husk, W H. "Harrison, William", Grove Music Online, Oxford University Press, retrieved 14 April 2015 (subscription required)
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