A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Lee, George

by William H. Husk

LEE, George Alexander, son of Harry Lee, a pugilist and landlord of the Anti-Gallican tavern, Shire Lane, Temple Bar, was born in 1802. When a boy he entered the service of Lord Barrymore as 'tiger,' being the first of the class of servants known by that name; but on the discovery that he had a fine voice and a natural taste for music, he was withdrawn from that position and placed under a master for instruction. In 1825 he appeared as a tenor singer at the Dublin theatre, and in 1826 in London at the Haymarket theatre [App. p.698 "he became conductor of the Haymarket in 1827"], and soon afterwards commenced business as a music-seller in the Quadrant. In 1829, with Melrose, the tenor singer, and John Kemble Chapman, he entered upon the management of the Tottenham Street Theatre, and gave performances of popular English operas. Lee seceded in 1830 and became lessee of Drury Lane Theatre. [App. p.698 "His secession from the lesseeship of the Tottenham Street Theatre was on account of the heavy penalties incurred by the management through their infringement of the 'patent theatres'' rights."] He was soon afterwards joined by Capt. Polhill, but at the end of the season he withdrew, leaving Polhill sole manager. In 1831 he undertook the management of the Lenten oratorios at both Drury Lane and Covent Garden. In 1832 he was composer and music director at the Strand Theatre, and in 1845 the same at the Olympic. Lee composed the music for several dramatic pieces, amongst which were 'The Sublime and Beautiful,' and 'The Invincibles,' 1828; 'The Nymph of the Grotto' and 'The Witness,' 1829; 'The Devil's Brother' (principally from Auber's 'Fra Diavolo') and 'The Legion of Honour,' 1831; 'Waverley' (with G. Stansbury). 1832; 'Love in a Cottage,' 'Good Husbands make good Wives,' 'Sold for a Song,' and 'Auld Robin Gray,' the last composed about 1838 but not performed until 1858. He was also composer of many songs and ballads, highly popular in their day ('Away, away to the mountain's brow,' 'Come where the aspens quiver,' 'The Macgregors' Gathering,' etc.) and author of a 'Vocal Tutor.' Lee married Mrs. Waylett, the popular singer and actress, whose death (April 19, 1851 [App. p.698 "April 26"]) so seriously affected him that he died the 8th of the following October.

[ W. H. H. ]