Welsh Thomas

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Welsh Thomas

Welsh, Thomas, English bass, teacher, and composer; b. Wells, c. 1780; d. Brighton, Jan. 24, 1848. He was a grandson of Thomas Linley Sr. He became a chorister at Wells Cathedral, and a pupil of J. B. Cramer and Baumgarten. He made his opera debut in London at the age of 12; after his voice changed, he became a bass, and sang in oratorio. He was particularly distinguished as a vocal teacher; he publ. Vocal Instructor, or the Art of Singing Exemplified in 15 Lessons leading to 40 Progressive Exercises (London, 1825). His wife and pupil, Mary Anne (née Wilson; 1802-67), whom he married in 1827, was a noted soprano who made her debut at Drury Lane on Jan. 18, 1821, in Arne’s Artaxerxes. He composed several theater pieces, including the operatic farce The Green-eyed Monster, or How to Get your Money (London, Oct. 14,1811), piano sonatas, glees, duets, and partsongs.

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire