A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Longhurst, John
LONGHURST, John Alexander, born in 1809, studied under John Watson, musical director at Covent Garden, and on April 22, 1820, came out at Covent Garden as the Page in Bishop's 'Henri Quatre,' and gained great popularity by his singing in the duet 'My pretty page,' with Miss Stephens. During that and the next four years Bishop composed original parts for him in 'Montrose,' 'The Two Gentlemen of Verona,' 'Maid Marian,' 'Clari,' 'The Beacon of Liberty,' and 'As You Like It,' besides giving him the boy's parts in 'The Miller and his Men,' 'The Slave,' etc., which he had formerly written for Gladstanes and Barnett. Early in 1826 he was allotted the part of Puck in Weber's 'Oberon,' then in preparation, but shortly afterwards, whilst in the middle of a popular ballad, 'The Robin's Petition,' his voice suddenly broke, and he was compelled to relinquish singing. Weber mentions the event in a letter to his wife, March 9, 1826:—'The young fellow who was to have sung Puck has lost his voice, but I have a charming girl,[1] who is very clever and sings capitally." After a short time he became known as a teacher of singing and the pianoforte and excellent accompanyist. He died in 1855 aged 46.
His younger brother, William Henry, Mus. Doc., born in the parish of Lambeth, Oct. 6, 1819, was admitted a chorister of Canterbury Cathedral, Jan. 6, 1828, under Highmore Skeats, sen., having afterwards Stephen Elvey and Thomas Evance Jones as his masters. In 1836 he was appointed lay clerk and assistant organist of the cathedral. On Jan. 26, 1873, he was chosen to succeed Jones as organist and master of the choristers. His doctor's degree was conferred on him by the Archbishop of Canterbury (Tait), Jan. 6, 1875. His compositions consist of anthems, services, songs, etc., and a MS. oratorio, 'David and Absalom.'- ↑ Miss Harriet Cawe, afterward Mrs. John Fiddes.