success, Roger left the Opéra Comique for the Académie, where on April 16, 1849, he created an immense sensation with Mme. Viardot, in 'Le Prophète.' His acting was quite as good in tragedy as it had been in comedy, but his voice could not stand the wear and tear of the fatiguing répertoire he had now to undertake. During the next ten years however he was invaluable at the Opéra, creating new parts in the 'Enfant prodigue,' the 'Juif errant,' and many more. His best creation after John of Leyden, and his last part at the Opéra, was Helios in David's 'Herculanum' (March 4, 1859). In the following autumn he lost his right arm while shooting, by the bursting of a gun; he reappeared with a false one, but with all his skill and bravery he could not conceal his misfortune, and found himself compelled to bid farewell to the Académie and to Paris.
He went once more to Germany, which he had been in the habit of visiting since 1850, and where he was invariably successful, partly owing to his unusual command of the language. After this he sang in the principal provincial theatres of France, and in 1861 reappeared at the Opéra Comique in his best parts, especially that of Georges Brown in 'La Dame Blanche,' but it was evident that the time for his retirement had arrived. He then took pupils for singing, and in 1868 accepted a professorship at the Conservatoire, which he held till his death, Sept. 12, 1879.
Roger was of an amiable and benevolent disposition. He talked well, wrote with ease, and was the author of the French translation to Haydn's 'Seasons,' and of the words of several romances and German Lieder. His book, 'Le Carnet d'un ténor' (Paris, Ollendorff, 1880), is a portion of his autobiography. It contains an account of his visits to England in 1847 (June), and 1848 (June–Nov.), when he sang at the Royal Italian Opera, and made an artistic tour in the provinces with Mlle. Jenny Lind, and other artists.
ROGERS, Benjamin, Mus. Doc., son of Peter Rogers, lay-clerk of St. George's Chapel, Windsor, was born at Windsor in 1614. He was a chorister of St. George's under Dr. Giles, and afterwards a lay-clerk there. [App. p.733 "add that he succeeded Jewitt in the appointment to Christ Church, Dublin, in 1639."] He next became organist of Christ Church, Dublin, where he continued until the rebellion in 1641, when he returned to Windsor and obtained a lay-clerk's place there; but on the breaking up of the choir in 1644 he taught music in Windsor and its neighbourhood, and obtained some compensation for the loss of his appointment. In 1653 he composed some airs in 4 parts for violins and organ, which were presented to the Archduke Leopold, afterwards Emperor of Germany, and favourably received by him. In 1658 he was admitted Mus. Bac. at Cambridge [App. p.733 "refer, as to his degree, to Carlyle's 'Oliver Cromwell,' v. 243, 4 (People's Edition)"]. In 1660 he composed a 'Hymnus Eucharisticus' in 4 parts, to words by Dr. Nathaniel Ingelo, which was performed at Guildhall when Charles II. dined there on July 5.[1] About the same time he became organist of Eton College. On Oct. 21, 1662, he was reappointed a lay-clerk at St. George's, Windsor, his stipend being augmented by half the customary amount; and he also received out of the organist's salary £1 per month as deputy organist. On July 22, 1664, he was appointed Informator Choristarum and organist of Magdalen College, Oxford. On July 8, 1669, he proceeded Mus. Doc. at Oxford. In Jan. 1685 he was removed from his place at Magdalen College on account of irregularities, the College however assuring to him an annuity of £30 for life. He survived until June, 1698, on the 21st of which month he was buried at St. Peter-le-Bailey. His widow, whom the College had pensioned with two-thirds of his annuity, survived him only seven months, and was laid by his side Jan. 5, 1699.—Rogers composed much church music; four services are printed in the collections of Boyce, Rimbault, and Sir F. Ouseley; another, an Evening Verse Service in G, appears to be at Ely in MS. Some anthems were printed in 'Cantica Sacra,' 1674, and by Boyce and Page; and many others are in MS. in the books of various cathedrals and college chapels. Four glees are contained in Playford's 'Musical Companion,' 1673, and many instrumental compositions in 'Courtly Masquing Ayres,' 1662. His 'Hymnus Eucharisticus' (the first stanza of which, commencing 'Te Deum Patrem colimus,' is daily sung in Magdalen College Hall by way of grace after dinner, and is printed in the Appendix to Hawkins's History) is sung annually on the top of Magdalen tower at five in the morning of May 1. His service in D and some of his anthems, which are pleasing and melodious in character, are still sung in cathedrals.
ROGERS, John, a famous lutenist, born in London, was attached to the household of Charles II. He resided near Aldersgate, and died there about 1663.
ROGERS, Sir John Leman, Bart., born April 18, 1780, succeeded his father in the baronetcy in 1797. He became a member of the Madrigal Society in 1819, and in 1820 was elected its permanent President (being the first so appointed), and held the office until 1841, when he resigned on account of ill health. He composed a cathedral service, chants, anthems, madrigals, glees, and other vocal music. [See Hullah's Part Music, Class A, and Vocal Scores.] He was an ardent admirer of the compositions of Tallis, and by his exertions an annual service was held for several years in Westminster Abbey, the music being wholly that of Tallis. He died Dec. 10, 1847.
ROI DES VIOLONS—'King of the violins'—a title of great interest as illustrating the struggle between Art and Authority. On Sept. 14, 1321, the ménestriers or fiddlers of France formed themselves into a regular corporation, with a code of laws in 11 sections, which was presented to the Prevôt of Paris, and by him registered at the Châtelet. The Confraternity, founded by 37 jongleurs and jongleresses, whose names have been
- ↑ This hymn was different from that, bearing the same title, which Rogers afterwards set for Magdalen College, Oxford.
