Michael Maybrick

Michael Maybrick
BornJanuary 31, 1841
8 Church Alley Liverpool
DiedAugust 26, 1913
Cause of deathNatural causes
Occupationcomposer
Spouse
Susannah
​
​
(m. 1815; died 1883)​
RelativesJames Maybrick (brother)

Michael Maybrick (31 January 1841 - 26 August 1913[1]) was an English composer and singer. He is best known under his pseudonym Stephen Adams. Adams was the composer of "The Holy City." It is one of the most popular religious songs in English.

Early life

Maybrick was the fourth of the seven sons of William Maybrick (1815–1853?) and his wife, Susannah (1815?–1883?). His father was an engraver. Both his grandfather and father had been parish clerk at St Peter's in Liverpool. They were also minor composers. His uncle Michael Maybrick (1799–1846) was organist at St Peter's. He wrote music and conducted the Liverpool Choral Society.

Maybrick had become good at playing the piano by the age of eight. He studied the organ with W. T. Best. At the age of fifteen, he became organist of St Peter's. He also wrote anthems and had a song he wrote performed in London.[2]

Musical career

The Blue Alsatian Mountains by Michael Maybrick
The Blue Alsatian Mountains by Michael Maybrick
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In 1865, Maybrick went to Leipzig to study keyboard and harmony with Carl Reinecke, Ignaz Moscheles, and Louis Plaidy. He chose to train as a baritone with Gaetano Nava in Milan. After getting experience in Italian theatres, he performed with great success in London on 25 February 1869 in Mendelssohn's Elijah. He had more success as Telramund in Wagner's Lohengrin . This led to appearances with Charlotte Sainton-Dolby. He performed with her for her last concert on 6 June 1870. He often performed with the Carl Rosa Opera Company. He appeared at all the main concert venues in London and the provinces. He also sang in English opera.[2][3]

Notes

  1. ↑ Who's Who 1914
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Patrick Waddington, ‘Maybrick, Michael [Stephen Adams] (1841–1913)’, Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, 2004 http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/46651, accessed 1 Nov 2009
  3. ↑ "Death of Michael MAYBRICK". www.old-merseytimes.co.uk.

References

  • 'Obituary: Michael Maybrick', The Musical Times, Vol. 54, No. 848 (Oct. 1, 1913), pp. 661–662

Other websites