A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Laroche, James

LAROCHE, James, better known as Jemmy Laroch, or Laroche, was a popular singer in London, though probably French by origin or birth, at the end of the 17th and beginning of the 18th centuries. He played, as a boy, the part of Cupid in Motteux's 'Loves of Mars and Venus,' set to music by Eccles and Finger, in which the part of Venus was played by Mrs. Bracegirdle, in 1696. He was, therefore, born probably about 1680–2. His portrait appears on a very rare print, called 'The Raree Show. Sung by Jemmy Laroch in the Musical Interlude for the Peace, with the Tune Set to Musick for the Violin. Ingraved Printed Culred and Sold by Sutton Nicholls next door to the Jack, etc. London,' fol. It was afterwards published by Samuel Lyne. There are 33 verses beginning 'O Raree Show, O Brave Show' below the engraving, which represents Laroche with the show on a stool, exhibiting it to a group of children; and at foot is the music. The Peace of Utrecht was signed in April, 1713, and this interlude was played in celebration of it, at the Theatre in Little Lincoln's Inn Fields, the music being written by John Eccles. The portrait of Laroche was also engraved by M. Laroon in his 'Cries of London.'

[ J. M. ]