A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Lacy, Michael

LACY, Michael Rophino, son of an English merchant, born at Bilbao, July 19, 1795; learned music from an early age, and made rapid progress on the violin; was at college at Bourdeaux for 18 months, and in 1803 was sent to Paris to finish his education, and attained to considerable skill as a linguist. Kreutzer was his principal instructor in music. About the end of 1804 he performed before Napoleon at the Tuileries. He was then known as 'Le petit Espagnol.' He played in the principal Dutch towns on his way to London, which he reached in Oct. 1805. He soon gave concerts at Hanover Square Rooms, under the sobriquet of 'The Young Spaniard,' his name not being announced until May, 1807, when an engraved portrait of him was published. He next performed at Catalani's first concert in Dublin, and was afterwards engaged for Corri's concerts at Edinburgh at 20 guineas per night. A few years later he quitted the musical for the theatrical profession, and performed the principal genteel comedy parts at the theatres of Dublin, Edinburgh, Glasgow, etc. In 1818 he was appointed leader of the Liverpool concerts vice Yaniewicz, and at the end of 1820 returned to London and was engaged as leader of the ballet at the King's Theatre. Lacy adapted to the English stage both words and music of several popular operas; and his adaptations display great skill, although gross liberties were frequently taken with the original pieces, which can only be excused by the taste of the time. Among them are 'The Maid of Judah' from 'Ivanhoe,' the music from 'Semiramide,' 1829; 'Cinderella,' the music from Rossini's 'Cenerentola,' 'Armida,' 'Maometto Secondo,' and 'Guillaume Tell,' 1830; 'Fra Diavolo,' 1831; and 'Robert le Diable,' under the title of 'The Fiend Father,' 1832. In 1833 he produced an oratorio entitled 'The Israelites in Egypt,' a pasticcio from Rossini's 'Mosè in Egitto,' and Handel's 'Israel in Egypt,' which was performed with scenery, dresses, and personation. In 1839 he brought forward a readaptation of Weber's 'Der Freischütz,' introducing the whole of the music for the first time. He rendered great assistance to Mr. Schoelcher in collecting the material for his ' Life of Handel.' He died at Pentonville, Sept. 20, 1867.

[ W. H. H. ]