A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Leveridge, Richard

LEVERIDGE, Richard, a singer noted for his deep and powerful bass voice, was born in 1670. His name appears as one of the singers in Dr. Blow's Te Deum and Jubilate for St. Cecilia's day 1695. He sang in the Anglo-Italian operas, 'Arsinoe,' 'Camilla,' 'Rosamond,' and 'Thomyris,' at Drury Lane theatre from 1705 to 1707. In 1708 he was engaged at the Queen's Theatre and sang in 'The Temple of Love,' etc., and in Handel's 'Faithful Shepherd' ('Il Pastor Fido') on its production in 1712. He subsequently transferred his services to Rich, and sang in the masques and pantomimes at Lincoln's Inn Fields and Covent Garden for nearly 30 years. His voice remained unimpaired so long, that in 1730, when 60 years old, he offered, for a wager of 100 guineas, to sing a bass song with any man in England. About 1726 he opened a coffee-house in Tavistock Street, Covent Garden. In 1699 he composed part of the music for 'The Island Princess, or, The Generous Portuguese,' and in 1716 the music for 'Pyramus and Thisbe,' a comic masque, compiled by him from 'A Midsummer Night's Dream.' [App. p.700 "about 1708 he wrote new music for Act. ii. of Macbeth."] In 1727 he published his songs, with the music, in two small 8vo. vols. Many others were published singly. In his old age he was maintained by an annual subscription among his friends, promoted by a city physician. He died March 22, 1758. There is a good engraved [App. p.700 "mezzotint"] portrait of him by Pether, from a painting by Fryer [App. p.700 "Frye"].

[ W. H. H. ]