A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Harrison, Samuel

HARRISON, Samuel, born at Belper, Derbyshire, Sept. 8, 1760. He received his musical education from Burton, a well-known bass chorus singer, probably the same whose nervous system was so powerfully affected by the music on the first day of the Commemoration of Handel, in 1784, as to occasion his death in the course of a few hours. On the establishment of the Concert of Ancient Music in 1776, Harrison appeared as a solo soprano singer, and continued so for two years afterwards. But in 1778, being engaged to sing at Gloucester, his voice suddenly failed him. After an interval of six years, during which he most assiduously cultivated his voice and style, George III. heard him sing at one of Queen Charlotte's musical parties, and caused him to be engaged for the Commemoration of Handel in 1784, at which he sang 'Rend' il sereno al ciglio' from 'Sosarme,' and the opening recitative and air in 'Messiah.' He was next engaged as principal tenor at the Concert of Ancient Music, and from that time took his place at the head of his profession as a concert singer. Harrison's voice had a compass of two octaves (A to A). It was remarkably sweet, pure and even in tone, but deficient in power. His taste and judgment were of a high order, and in the cantabile style he had no equal. Compelled by the exigences of his engagements to sing songs which demanded greater physical power than he possessed, he always sang them reluctantly. On Dec. 6, 1790, Harrison married Miss Cantelo, for some years principal second soprano at all the best concerts, etc. In 1791 he and Knyvett established the Vocal Concerts, which were carried on to the end of 1794, and revived in 1801. Harrison's last appearance in public was at his benefit concert, May 8, 1812, when he sang Pepusch's 'Alexis,' and Handel's 'Gentle airs.' On June 25 following, a sudden inflammation carried him off. He was buried in the graveyard of the old church of St. Pancras. The inscription on his tombstone includes an extract from an elegiac ode on Harrison, written by Rev. Thomas Beaumont, and set to music by William Horsley, but the lines are so inaccurately given as completely to mar the allusion to the song, 'Gentle airs.' Mrs. Harrison survived her husband 19 years.

[ W. H. H. ]