A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Fitzwilliam, Edward

FITZWILLIAM, Edward Francis, son of Edward and Frances Fitzwilliam both actors and singers born in 1824. He was educated for the musical profession, and devoted himself especially to the study of composition. In 1853 he published a set of 12 songs which were much admired, and in the same year was appointed director of the music at the Haymarket Theatre, where he produced an operetta called 'Love's Alarms,' and music for some minor pieces. About 1855 he married Miss Ellen Chaplin, a member of the Haymarket company, so well known as Mrs. E. Fitzwilliam. His compositions were distinguished by an intelligence which gave promise of great excellence when he should have fully mastered the technicalities of his art—a hope disappointed by his early death, after a lingering illness, on Jan. 20, 1857. Besides the songs above mentioned, he published a Te Deum, and a hymn, 'O incomprehensible Creator.' A quartet from the former is given by Mr. Hullah in his 'Sacred Music for Family Use.'

[ W. H. H. ]