A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Sinclair, John

SINCLAIR, John, born near Edinburgh in 1790 was instructed in music from childhood, and while still young joined the band of a Scotch regiment as a clarinet player. He also taught singing in Aberdeen, and acquired sufficient means to purchase his discharge from the regiment. Possessed of a fine tenor voice, he was desirous of trying his fortune upon the stage, came to London and appeared anonymously as Capt. Cheerly in Shield's 'Lock and Key' at the Haymarket, Sept. 7, 1810. His success led to his becoming a pupil of Thomas Welsh. He was engaged at Covent Garden, where he appeared Sept. 30, 1811, as Don Carlos in Sheridan and Linley's 'Duenna.' He remained there for seven seasons, during which he had many original parts. He was the first singer of the still popular recitative and air 'Orynthia,' and 'The Pilgrim of Love' in Bishop's 'Noble Outlaw,' produced April 7, 1815. He also sang originally in Bishop's 'Guy Mannering' and 'The Slave,' and Davy's 'Rob Roy,' and acquired great popularity by his performance of Apollo in 'Midas.' In April 1819 he visited Paris and studied under Pellegrini, and thence proceeded to Milan and placed himself under Banderali. In May 1821 he went to Naples, where he received advice and instruction from Rossini. In 1822 he sang, mostly in Rossini's operas, at Pisa and Bologna. In 1823 he was engaged at Venice, where Rossini wrote for him the part of Idreno in 'Semiramide.' After singing at Genoa he returned to England, and reappeared at Covent Garden, Nov. 19, 1823, as Prince Orlando in 'The Cabinet'; his voice and style having greatly improved. He continued at the theatre for a season or two; in 1828 and 1829 was engaged at the Adelphi, and in 1829–30 at Drury Lane. He then visited America; on his return retired from public life, and died at Margate, Sept. 23, 1857.

[ W. H. H. ]