Cheshire, John, 1839-1910
Variant namesJohn Cheshire, harpist and composer, was born on March 28, 1837 in Birmingham, England.
He studied at the Royal Academy of Music in London from 1852-1855 and afterwards under Sir G.A. Macfarren and J.B. Chatterton. In 1855, he was appointed harpist to the Royal Italian Opera and in 1865, principal harpist at Her Majesty?s Theatre. From 1858-1861, he toured in South America, and in 1879 Norway and Sweden. In 1888, he was the harpist to the National Opera Company. His compositions included an opera, Diana, Cantat, The King and the Maiden (book by Arthur Matthison; performed at St. James Hall on April 20, 1866), and The Buccaneers. Cheshire had married pianist, Mathilda Maria Frances Baxter, in 1871. One of their daughtes, Zoë Cheshire, also pursued a career as a harpist. For the last twenty years of his life, John Cheshire lived and performed, mostly in America. He died on Sept. 26, 1910 in New York City.
From the description of John Cheshire papers, 1853-1945. (New York Public Library). WorldCat record id: 59995533
John Cheshire, harpist and composer, was born on March 28, 1837 in Birmingham, England. He studied at the Royal Academy of Music in London from 1852-1855 and afterwards under Sir G.A. Macfarren and J.B. Chatterton. In 1855, he was appointed harpist to the Royal Italian Opera and in 1865, principal harpist at Her Majesty’s Theatre. From 1858-1861, he toured in South America, and in 1879 Norway and Sweden. In 1888, he was the harpist to the National Opera Company. His compositions included an opera, Diana,which he wrote while in Brazil, Cantat, The King and the Maiden (book by Arthur Matthison), performed at St. James Hall on April 20, 1866, and The Buccaneers .
In 1871 he married Mathilda Maria Frances Baxter, an excellent pianist who appeared with success at many of his concerts. From this union, three daughters (Iris, Pearl and Zoe) and a son (Harold) were born. Zoe Cheshire and Harold Cheshire followed their parents into the limelight, as a harpist in New York and an actor in England, respectively.
For the last twenty years of his life, John Cheshire lived and performed, mostly, in America. He died on Sept. 26, 1910 in New York, NY.
- New York Times Obituary. "John Cheshire, Harpist, Dead." Proquest Historical Newspapers The New York Times (1857-Current file): Sept. 27, 1910, p. 13.
- New York Times Obituary. "Mrs. Mathilda Cheshire." Proquest Historical Newspapers The New York Times (1857-Current file): Sept. 16, 1927, p. 23.
- New York Times Obituary. "Zoe Cheshire." Proquest Historical Newspapers The New York Times (1857-Current file): Sept. 16, 1946, p. 5.
- Scrapbooks (Box 1, Folders 2-10)
- Wier, Albert, E. The Macmillan Encyclopedia of Music and Musicians. New York: The Macmillan Company, 1938.
From the guide to the John Cheshire papers, 1853-1945, (The New York Public Library. Music Division.)
| Role | Title | Holding Repository | |
|---|---|---|---|
| creatorOf | Cheshire, John, 1837-1910. [Musical anecdotes, reminiscences, and press notices of John Cheshire]. | New York Public Library System, NYPL | |
| creatorOf | Cheshire, John, 1837-1910. John Cheshire papers, 1853-1945. | New York Public Library System, NYPL | |
| creatorOf | Cheshire, John, 1837-1910. [Selections] / John Cheshire. | New York Public Library System, NYPL | |
| creatorOf | John Cheshire papers, 1853-1945 | The New York Public Library. Music Division. |
| Role | Title | Holding Repository |
|---|
Filters:
| Relation | Name | |
|---|---|---|
| associatedWith | American Music Collection | corporateBody |
| associatedWith | Cheshire, Zoë. | person |
| associatedWith | Cheshire, Zoë | person |
| Place Name | Admin Code | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Great Britain | |||
| United States |
| Subject |
|---|
| Harpists |
| Harpists |
| Harpists |
| Harp music |
| Instrumental music |
| Vocal music |
| Occupation |
|---|
| Harpists |
| Activity |
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Person
Birth 1839-03-28
Death 1910
Male
New Yorkers (New York State)
