A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/McGuckin, Barton

McGUCKIN, Barton, born July 28, 1852, at Dublin, began his career as a chorister at Armagh Cathedral. He received instruction from the late R. Turle, then organist there, in singing, organ, violin, and pianoforte. He became first tenor at St. Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin, in 1871, and was for a time a pupil of Joseph Robinson. He sang at one of the Philharmonic concerts in Dublin in 1874, and in the following year made his début at the Crystal Palace Concerts July 5, 1875, after which he went to Milan and studied under Trevulsi. He reappeared with success at the same concerts Oct. 28, 1876, where he also made his début as an oratorio singer in the 'Lobgesang,' Nov. 3, 1877. He made his debut on the stage as Thaddeus under Carl Rosa at Birmingham Sept. 10, 1880; at Dublin as Wilhelm Meister May 9, 1881; in the same part at Her Majesty's Jan. 20, 1882, and as Moro on the production in England of 'The Painter of Antwerp,' an English version of Balfe's Italian opera 'Pittore e Duca,' Jan. 28, 1882. He remained in Rosa's company both in London and the provinces until the summer of 1887, and has become a great favourite both as a singer and actor. His most important parts are Lohengrin, Faust, and Don José; in new operas he has created at Drury Lane the parts of Phœbus ('Esmeralda'), March 26, 1883; Orso ('Colomba'), April 9, 1883; Waldemar ('Nadeshda'), April 16, 1885; Guillem de Cabestanh ('Troubadour'), June 8, 1886; Oscar ('Nordisa'), May 4, 1887; at Edinburgh, Renzo on the production in English of Ponchielli's 'Promessi Sposi,' and at Liverpool, Des Grieux ('Manon'), Jan. 17, 1885. Mr. McGuckin is extremely popular in the concert-room, and has sung at the Philharmonic, the Popular and Oratorio Concerts, and at the Handel and provincial festivals. His last important engagement was at the Norwich Festival of 1887, where he sang the tenor music in Mancinelli's ' Isaias.' He went to America as the principal tenor of the National Opera Company, and has lately returned.

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