Edward Francis Fitzwilliam


Edward Francis Fitzwilliam was an English composer and music director.
Fitzwilliam, born at Deal, Kent on 2 August 1824, was the son of Edward Fitzwilliam, an actor, by his wife, Fanny Elizabeth Fitzwilliam, actress.

Education

He was educated at the Pimlico Grammar School, at St. Edmund's College, Old Hall, Hertfordshire, and at the institution of L'Abbé Haffrénique at Boulogne. Sir Henry Bishop was his instructor in an elementary course of harmony, and for a few months he resided with John Barnett at Cheltenham studying instrumentation.

Career

In his twenty-first year he composed a Stabat Mater, which was performed at the Hanover Square Rooms on 15 March 1845, with much success. In October 1847 he was appointed by Madame Vestris musical director of the Lyceum Theatre, and remained there for two years.
About this time he wrote the cantata "O Incomprehensible Creator," which was performed at Hullah's concert, 21 May 1851. At Easter 1853 he became musical director of the Haymarket Theatre, and held that position until his death. His principal compositions were "The Queen of a Day," a comic opera, and "A Summer Night's Love," an operetta, both produced at the Haymarket.
He also wrote the overture, act, and vocal music of the Green Bushes for the Adelphi Theatre, the overtures and music of all the Haymarket pantomimes, and of many that were brought out at the Theatre Royal, Liverpool. The music of Perea Nena's Spanish ballets, El Gambusino and Los Cautivos, were entirely his composition. His works were distinguished by an intelligence that gave promise of great excellence had he lived to fully master the technicalities of his art.
He married the actress Ellen Chaplin on 31 December 1853. They had two children; Edward Wentworth and Marian.

Death

After suffering for two years from consumption, he died at 9 Grove Place, Brompton, London, 19 January 1857, aged 33, and was buried in Kensal Green cemetery.

Works

  1. Farewell to Love, canzonet... the poetry by J. B. Buckstone
  2. Tarantella . For the piano forte, etc
  3. Songs of a Student, the poetry selected from the words of Lord Byron, Shelley, Coleridge, Leigh Hunt. Sir Edward Bulwer Lytton, L. Blanchard, S. Godolphin, Mrs. Hemans, etc
  4. The Ranelagh schottische.
  5. Hope is still a fair deceiver, etc.
  6. "When should lovers breathe their vows." Ballad... the poetry by L. E. L
  7. A Set of Songs. The poetry chiefly selected, etc
  8. I love him... Ballad, and the cavatina. As dazzling rays of sunrise... The poetry by B. Cornwall
  9. Maidens oft will sigh and languish, Cavatina. Sung... in S. Brooks'... Comic Drama... "Anything for a Change," etc
  10. Songs for a winter night, the poetry chiefly selected from the most eminent authors, etc
  11. Te Deum, composed for Solo voices and chorus
  12. O Incomprehensible Creator! Cantata
  13. The happy bride, written by E. J. Gill.
  14. I wandered by the brook side. The poetry by R. M. Milnes
  15. You've been well paid, in Buckstone's opera Love's Alarms
  16. Sweet isle of the Ocean. Ballad
  17. Dramatic songs, for Soprano, Contralto, Tenor and Bass voices. and Appendix
  18. The Jug of Punch; Irish Ballad sung in the Drama of the green bushes, written by J. B. Buckstone
  19. Guarded slumber. Serenade the poetry by C. Webbe
  20. The happy bride written by E. J. Gill
  21. Oh! Oh! 'tis cruel my lady, duet in the comic opera Love's Alarms... the words written by J. B. Buckston
  22. "Old Rosin the beau," sung... in... the Belle of the Hotel the words... by J. B. Buckstone... arranged by E. Fitzwilliam
  23. "Why lovely Charmer." Glee for 4 voices
  24. The maid with the milking pail, a ballad, the poetry by J. B. Buckstone
  25. Four part-songs for four voices, etc
  26. Heart undaunted, duet in Buckstone's opera Love's Alarms
  27. Hope is still a fair deceiver, romance... in the opera Love's Alarms... the poetry by I. B. Buckstone
  28. March to the field of glory, sung... in the opera Love's Alarms... the poetry by J. B. Buckstone
  29. Piano Forte compositions, etc
  30. Sea-Side Musings. Six morceaux for the Pianoforte
  31. The leap year Quadrille.
  32. Attention! attention! duet... in Buckstone's opera Love's Alarms
  33. The Silverhair polka.
  34. The Perdita schottische & the Marie minuet.
  35. My Lady bright! Mrs Crawford
  36. There is a little simple dell. Ballad, the poetry by Samuel Carter Hall
  37. "Of Uncle Tom's cabin who has not had a sight?" as sung... in the extravaganza Mr. Buckstone's Ascent of Mount Parnassus, the words written by J. R. PlancheÌ
  38. While my lady sleepeth. Serenade, the poetry from Lockhart's Spanish ballads
  39. When should Lovers breathe their Vows. L. E. L
  40. Come let me take thee to my Breast, etc.
  41. La Tarantelle des deÌmons... pour le piano, etc
  42. Songs of a Student, the poetry selected from the words of Lord Byron, Shelley, Coleridge, Leigh Hunt. Sir Edward Bulwer Lytton, L. Blanchard, S. Godolphin, Mrs. Hemans, etc
  43. The Queen of a day quadrille.
  44. "Hope is still a fair deceiver." Romance... the poetry by J. B. Buckstone
  45. The Scots Fusiliers March... for the pianoforte
  46. When should lovers breathe their vows, ballad in Buckstone's opera Love's alarms... the poetry by L. E. L
  47. Come let me press thee to my breast. Scotch ballad
  48. The Minstrel's last Farewell. Mrs Abdy
  49. Love knows no sleep. Ballad... The poetry by S. Brooks
  50. As I laye a thynkynge. Ballad, the last lines of T. Ingoldsby
  51. When Cavaliers shall bear the sway, ... in the Comic Opera... "The Queen of a Day,"etc