A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Holcombe, Henry

HOLCOMBE, Henry, born about 1690, probably at Salisbury, where he was a chorister. He came to London while a boy, and sang in the Anglo-Italian operas at Drury Lane as Prenesto in 'Camilla' (1706, 8), and the Page in 'Rosamond' (1707). On the breaking of his voice he left the stage and became a teacher of the harpsichord and singing, in which he was very successful. He died about 1750. Holcombe published two collections of songs, viz. 'The Musical Medley; or, A Collection of English Songs and Cantatas set to Musick,' 1745, and 'The Garland; a Collection of 11 Songs and Cantatas.' Two of his songs—'Happy hour' (printed in the 'Musical Miscellany '), and 'Arno's Vale,' were much sung in their time. Among his descendants we may name Miss M. Josephine Holcombe, a distinguished soprano singer of church music in Brooklyn, New York, and Philip G. Holcombe, Harp-maker, London.

[ W. H. H. ]