VAUXHALL GARDENS 1661–1859

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SOLO SINGERS WHO PERFORMED AT VAUXHALL GARDENS 1745–1859
 
This list is compiled largely from contemporary records, and only gives dates for actual or planned performances, or where other strong evidence exists. In some cases it is possible that the singers performed at Vauxhall during the intermediate years as well. Most of the soloists who performed at Vauxhall are recorded here, although some names are sure to be missing, especially for the period 1745–1763. The titles of songs are only given if they are strongly associated with that particular singer. Normally, after the early 1760s, a group of between four and eight singers would be employed each season.
Some of the names I have given separately, for instance, Mr. Cowell, and Mr. Sam Cowell, may be the same person, but until evidence is available either way, I have listed them individually. Some of the married female singers may aready be listed under their maiden names.
This list includes only those singers who sang regularly with the Vauxhall band during one or more seasons. From the mid-1820s onwards, there were several special charity events, individual opera performances, and the like, at which some of the great singing stars of the day performed. These are recorded separately.
 
 
Acres, Miss 1808, 1810
Addison, Mrs. Elizabeth : néeWillems She was a granddaughter of H.T. Reinhold (vid.) and married to John Addison, the cellist (vid.) who also sang at Vauxhall. 1791, 1792: The Beauty of the Mind [Music—Hook/Words -—Mr. Addison], 1793
Addison, Mr. John (c.17661844) The husband of Elizabeth Addison. Cellist and singer. 1791
Allen, Mr. 1842
Arne, Mrs. Cecilia (17111789) According to Charles Burney [A General History of Music, II (London, 1776–89); ed. Frank Mercer (London: G. T. Foulis, 1935/R1957), p.1000] "this lady . . . with a good natural voice and fine shake, . . . had been so well taught, that her style of singing was infinitely superior to that of any other English woman of her time." [quoted in Roe/Hogwood, Johann Christian Bach —Favourite Songs Sung at Vauxhall (1985), p.xii]. Cecilia Young married Arne in 1737, and did not appear much after 1746, due to illness. DL from 1730
Arne, Michael (174086) Composer, performer and singer
Arrowsmith, Daniel

(Tenor) A pupil of Michael Arne. 'He possesses great power, sweetness and extent of voice, and sings in that spirited and energetic manner, for which the late Mr. Vernon was so justly celebrated' May 14, 1783, [cutting in Minet V, f.13, after his first appearance at VG on 13 May]. In the 1780s, Arrowsmith had been butler to John Pney Esq., who promoted his talent, such that he soon appeared on the stage of DL. He had a sound tenor voice, and was known for his lively imitations of his peers. Arrowsmith performed a tibute to Vernon q.v. on the opening night of 1782, a Prologue Cantata by Miles Peter Andrews (set by Barthelemon. After his retirement from the stage he took and inn at his native town in Berkshire. He also played violin, cello and German flute. He was received 'with great applause and encored in every song. He has a fine tenor voice of great flexibility, extent, and sweetness' [British Magazine and Review, II (May 1783), p.384] 1783, 1784, 1785 ('discharged' by 1786) Arrowsmith was c.1780, butler to John Poney, sword-bearer to the Lord Mayor. Poney, who lived at Took's-court, Chancery lane sponsored his musical career. He acted at Drury Lane, and had a talent for the comic imitation of other singers. He was also a solo performer on the flute, violin and 'cello. After retiring from the stage, he took an inn at his native town, in Berkshire.

Austin, Mrs. 1820
Baddeley, Mrs. Sophia (174586) Actress and vocalist. Née Snow, the daughter of Valentine Snow. Portrait, with a Cat, by Reynolds (eng. Ephraim Welsh 1772); portrait by Zoffany (eng. Robert Laurie). At Vauxhall in 1768. Married Robert Baddeley, the actor, in 1763 (separated in 1770, after his bad treatment of her). Paid 12 gns. a week at RG and VG. Also performed at DL. Became addicted to laudanum, and died of consumption on 1 July 1786
Barker, Master 1826
Barnett, Miss 1786. Probably Catherine Barnett, a child of nine.
Barry, Miss 1849 (1st performance)
Barthelemon, Mrs. 1773/4 (see Miss Young)
Bedford, Henry (younger brother of Paul) of the English Opera House, 1833, 1839 (1st perf.), 1841 (last night only)
Bedford, Paul 1831 (1st perf. From DL), 1832, 1833, 1834,1835,1836, 1837,1838,1839, 1844
de Begnis, Signor 1826
Bellchambers, Mrs. 1818
Bennett, Mr. S 1832
Benson, Mr. 1828
Bertles, Miss Catherine (fl.17871794) 1787 (her first appearance in public), 1788
Betts, Miss 1842
Billington, Mr. 1777
Billington, Mrs. 1779/80
Binge, Mr. 1845, 1846
Bishop, Mrs. H.R 1834 (1st perf.)
Blanchard, Miss 1844
Bland, Mrs. Maria Theresa (c.17691838)

née Romanzini. 'the sweet-voiced, dumpy little ballad singer [Walford, 448]; even in common speech [her voice] is touching and harmonious [Minet V, f.82]. In 1789, she was said to have 'refused an offer of the Vauxhall Managers, to the tune of one hundred and sixty guineas [for the season]' [The Times, 29 December 1789]. 1790, 1795, 1800, 1801,1802–1805, 1807–1811. In 1812 she was paid £250 for the season. 1813, 1814–1816, 1818: sang a new song, composed by Parke, which was echoed in a distant part of the gardens by the bugle-horn [Parke, II, p.135-6], 1819 1822 (paid 11gns. per week). Retired by 1823. The singers James and Charles Bland were her sons.

Bland, Louis 1849 (1st perf.), 1850, 1852
Blomgreen, Miss 1804

Braham, John
(17741856) or John Abraham
Appeared as a child 'Master Abrahams' in 1787. He was the son of Abraham "Singer" of Prosnitz (d.1779); he lived and toured with Nancy Storace (1766–1817) from c.1797. Tenor and composer (author of The Death of Nelson). 1826 (who was engaged at 800 gns. for the season - Minet V, f.157), 1844. After training in Italy, Braham returned to London in 1801. He sang at most of the great English theatres, and later composed operas, but lost a lot of money investing in two theatres
Brent, Miss Charlotte (17341802)

Soprano, and 'Arne's most promising pupil (and mistress), whose impeccable bravura singing made up for other defects, including halitosis [Mary Nash, The Provoked Wife: The Life and Times of Susannah Cibber (1977), pp.304–5n.]. She sang at Ranelagh from 1764, continuing for 20 years, and at CG 1759–1770. The role of Mandane in Arne's Artaxerxes was written for her. She was the daughter of Charles Brent, 1693–1770, a Handelian counter-tenor, and fencing-master. She married Pinto in Nov 1766, c.1761,1765. Her last public appearance was in 1785. She died in poverty at her home, 6 Vauxhall Walk.

Brown, Mr. D 1847
Browning, Mrs. 1846 (1st perf.)
Bruton, Mr. J 1850, the eminent comic singer [& see staff list]
Buckingham, Mr. Impressionist & comic singer. 1833, 1835, 1836, 1837, 1838, 1839, 1841 (last night only), 1844
Burchell, Miss Isabella / Mrs. Vincent (fl.175160) Acc. to Manning & Bray, Miss B. was brought to London by Jonathan Tyers, and articled to him. She was employed as milk-girl near Denbies and Tyers had heard her sing at her work; he bound her apprentice with the approval of her parents and paid for her training.It was she who sang in Garrick's DL representation of VG without Tyers's authority. She married Richard Vincent, leader of the Vauxhall band, in 1755, while she was still an apprentice. 1751, 1752, 1754
Busby, Thomas (1755-1838) Later wrote "General History of Music" etc. engaged, aged 14, at 10 gns. a week (DNB)
Catley, Anne (17451789)






Soprano; her first public appearance, aged 17. She was introduced to Marylebone by T. Lowe as one of his 'vocal assistants' (Called 'Miss Katlock' in one VG cutting). Taught by Mr. Bates. (Portrait as Euphrosyne by William Lawranson eng. Robert Dunkarton, 1777) 1762
Caulfield, Mr. 1852
Charles, Mr. (from the Theatre Royal, Dublin) 1828
Childe, Mrs. 1817, 1818, 1819
Clark, Mr. Bass. 1822 (paid £5 per week), 1823
Clifford, Mr. 1792 (1st perf.), 1793, 1795
Collier/Collyer, M.r
'A very chaste singer' 1815, 1816, 1818, 1819, 1821, 1822 (paid £5 per week), 1823, 1825
Collins, Mr. J.H 1847, of the Ethiopian Serenaders, St James's Theatre)
Cooke, Miss 1826
Cooke, Mrs. Wife of the composer Thomas Cooke.(See Miss Fanny Howells). 1800
Cooper, Mr. The popular Scotch vocalist. 1851
Cornega, Madame 1826
Corri, Mr. F. 1858
Corri, Master Haydn 1858 1858
Coveney, Miss 1828 (1st perf., only eleven years of age), 1832
Cowell, Mr. 1846 (1st perf.) Comic singer
Cowell, Mr. Sam Of the Lyceum Theatre. 1854, 1855
Cowper, Miss Singing J. C. Bach songs. 1771
Critchfield, Mr. T. 1859 (last night)
Crouch, Mrs. [Mrs. Anna Maria 'Nancy' Crouch, (17631805) Soprano. Engraved portrait by Ridley after Pope. Also Bartolozzzi after Romney, 1788. She married Crouch, a naval lieutenant in 1785, her maiden name was Phillips. She lived on the King's Road, Chelsea, then in Drury Lane.Her tutor was Mr. Wafer,an organist. At 16 she was articled to Linley at Drury Lane and she first appeared on the DL stage in 1780. 1804?
Cubitt, Mr. 1782 (principal singer), 1821
Cubitt, Miss 1821
Cubitt, Mrs. 1782
Danby, Mr. 1800, 1807, 1808, 1815, 1816
Daniels, Miss 1800, 1803
Darcie, Mr . 1846
Darley, Mr. (d. June 13, 1809) An inferior tenor, but very popular for his jovial personality. Had a robust style and over-powerful voice that he did not moderate. Chubby, jolly, called 'a big suckling' by Anthony Pasquin in The Children of Thespis, (1792). 1780, 1789, 1790, 1791, 1792, 1793,1794, 1795
Davies, Miss 1763, 1764
Days, Miss Louise 'of Provincial Celebrity—her First Appearance in London'. 1850
Begnis, Mr. de 1826
Delavanti, Signor From the Theatres Royal. 1851
Denman, Mr. Henry (17741816) Bass singer, also played the bassoon. 1796, 1797, 1798, 1799, 1800, 1807, 1808, 1815
Denner, Mr. 1801
Dickons, Mrs. Martha (c.17741833) (née Poole) 1787f. Not the same as Miss Poole below
Dignum, Mr. Charles (c.17651827) Tenor and composer. He was apparently short and plump. 1794 (1st perf.), 1795, 1796, 1797, 1798, 1799, 1800, 1801, 1803, 1804,1806, 1807, 1808, 1809,1810 1811, 1812, 1815, 1816
Donaldson, Mr. W.E 'The Negro Melodist'. 1858
Dowse, Mr. 'Mr Dowse, formerly a vocal performer at Vauxhall, Marybone Gardens, Sadler's Wells, &c. He was found dead on a dunghill, at an inn in High Holborn [Deaths column in The British Magazine and Review, London, 1782–3, vol. II, January 1783, p.82]
Drummond, Miss 1844
Dunn, The Misses 1818
Duffy/Duffey, Mr. Peter Tenor, pupil of Giordani. A capable tenor who later went to the U.S.A. 1791
Edmonds, Mr. W.L 1852
Ellis, Miss 1849 (1st perf.)
Evans, Mr. Bass, 1792. Appears to have been used in ensemble singing in 1786, along with another bass, Kenrick and Mr. Billington, tenor.
Falkner/Faulkener, Miss c.1750
Farrol, Mrs. Probably Mrs. Margaret Farrell, d.1793, nee Doyle, an Irish contralto and pupil of Arne. She sang as Mrs. Kennedy from 1779. 1775
Fearon, Mrs. 1848
Feron, Miss / Mrs. Glossop 1808, 1809 'On the evening of the 2d ult. we were regaled with the imitative powers of Miss Feron; but, while they excite our admiration, we cannot help lamenting that those exertions will infallibly, in the end, ruin her voice' [Minet V, f.82] W.T. Parke calls her 'a very promising young singer' [II, p.37], 1810, ?1811, 1812, 1815. C. 1827, she sang 'acting songs' by W. Parke, 'without a book in her hands, a thing never before known in these gardens [Parke, 1830, II, p.247]. Miss Fearon/Feron served her apprenticeship under the violinist Charles Cobham, c.1811. She later studied in Italy, returning to London in 1827 as Mme.Feron, apparently receiving a fee of £40 a night on the London stage (although a Madame Feron and Miss Feron appeared together in the same production of Don Giovanni c.1810). Miss Fearon's admission ticket for the 1808 season is in the Gerald Coke Handel Collection at the Foundling Museum, London.
Field, Mr. C 1846
Fitzwilliam, Mrs. 1836
Forde, Miss

From CG, a pupil of Signor Vaccai. 1833 — first public appearance. 1834, 1835 1836; 1841 (last night only)

Forde, Mr. J.G 1858 comic songs
Foster, Mr. 1821, 1836, 1852
Franklin, Mrs. (ex Miss Leary); also sang at Willis's Rooms, King Street and the Crown & Anchor Tavern in the Strand. 1793, 1794, 1795, 1796, 1797, 1798, 1799, 1800, 1801, 1802, 1804, 1807
Frazer James, Miss 1833, 1835
Gardiner, Mr. F Had a range of 3 octaves. 1838 (1st appearance)
Garrick, Mrs. Of Bath. Née Sarah Jane Grey, Mrs. George Garrick (son of George Garrick who was the younger brother of David Garrick the actor). 1811 (contract in Garrick club) @ 10 gns. per week. 1812, 1813? Engraved portrait by Thomson after Drummond.
Gawdry, Mr. pre 1773
Genge, Mr. 1846 (1st perf.)
George, Miss 1821
George #2 , Miss
1831 (1st from the Bath Concerts): 1836
Gibbon(s), Mr. 1800, 1803, 1804, 1805, 1806,1807, 1808, 1815
Gibbs, Mrs. (see Miss Graddon)
Gibson, Mr. 1807 [Monthly Mirror]
Giffin, Mr. H 1846
Gilson, Mr. 1764, c.1765
Glindon, Mr. Bob The old comic singer, C19
Golden, Miss 1823
Gould, Mr. 1847
Goulden, Mr. Counter-tenor, 1823, 1824
Graddon, Miss Margarita (b. Taunton, 1804, by c.1844, Mrs Gibbs) Student of Tom Cooke. 1822 (paid £5 per week), 1844
Grattan, Mrs. H.P 1842
Gray, Master 1799, 1800
Gray, Mr. 1805, possibly the same as above
Greville, Miss 1800, 1805 (singing Come Out my Love, by Hook)
Grover, Mr. Russell (18221896) 1856, 1858 (Vocal Conductor), 1859 Sung the last song on the last night, Nevermore
Hammersley, Miss M. 1824
Harris, Miss Lizzie 1859 (last night)
Helme, Miss 1826, 1828, 1829
Hempel, Miss 1848
Herbert, Mr. John 1850, the Celebrated Mimetic Vocalist. 1851, the favourite vocal Buffo.
Herrmanns, Herr From the German Opera. 1849
Hime/Hine, Mr. E.L. 1847, 1848
Hobbs, Mr. 1831 (1st perf.), 1836
Hodges, Mr. 1846
Hodson, Mr. George A. 1853 (Vocal Conductor), 1854
Hodson, Miss Georgina 1848, 1853
Horncastle, Mr. 1826, 1833, 1835
Horton, Miss P. 1829
Howard, Mr. 1777
Howard, Mrs. 1775, 1779/80
Howells, Miss 1798, 1799, 1800
Howells, Miss Fanny (?1785-1824) Articled to Michael Kelly. Married Thomas Simpson Cooke. 1798 (when she may have been only 13) and 1800 (with her sister)
Huddart, Miss Fanny From the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, and Nobilities Concerts. 1850
Hudson, Mr. 1775, 1777
Hudson, Mrs. (fl.177286; d.1792)

Possibly the Mrs. Hudson who sang also at Arnold's oratorios in London. She was born Frances Hawkeswell in York, trained as a mantua maker and married a French Horn player, William Hudson, after which she took to singing. She organised the York concerts with Thomas Shaw of Bath. Next in order comes Hudson, with judgement and ease,
She tries all her powers, and fails not to please;
She enchants by her sweetness of voice and of lay,
And we join the glad song when we welcome the May.
(1775) 1772, 1773, 1774,1775, 1776, 1779/80

Hughes, Miss 1830, 1836
Hyde, Master 1819
Iliff, Mrs. 1788 (1st perf.), 1790
Incledon, Charles Benjamin (1763 11 Feb 1826, Worcester) He was a Cornish singer, the son of a doctor in Saint Keverne, Cornwall and educated at Blundell's School and as a choirboy at Exeter. Sailor-turned-tenor, later worked in Bath. Had a good sweet voice, but he was conceited, and overdid his falsetto. 1785, 1786, 1787, 1788, 1789, 1790, 1820
Irving, Mr. Allan Of the Conservatoire, Paris, and Exeter Hall Concerts. 1849 (1st perf.)
Jacobs, Miss E. 1856
Jagger, Mr. 1762, 1764 to mid 1770s
James, Miss (probably the same as Miss Frazer James above) 1835
Jameson, Miss (fl.17701774)
With voice like a Siren, see Jameson in view,
She always is pleasing, and always is new;
Like the thrush or the linnet she warbles her lays,
And gives such delight as demands every praise.
(1775)
1771, 1772, 1774, 1775
Jolly, The Misses From the London Concerts. 1851, 1852
Jonghmans, Herr Buffo singer, 'whose stentorian voice is just the thing for out-of-door singing' [Morning Herald, July 22 1852], 1852 Largo al Factotum, 1853, 1854, 1855, 1856
Jones, Mr. 1831, 1839
Jones, Mr. Sinclair 1842, 1847, 1848
Keely, Mrs. Mary / Miss Goward (b. c.1810) From Norfolk. Portrait, 1848, Minet VI, f.173). 1832
Kennedy, Mrs. Margaret / Mrs. Farrell / Miss Doyle (d.1793) Irish Actress and contralto; married to Dr Kennedy MD. Not pretty, but a wonderful voice. Took the role of Macheath in 1777. Later, 'became a great support to the vocal department of Vauxhall Gardens . . . and continued to be a great favourite with the public for many years' [Parke, 1830, I, p.28–9].Sang at Ranelagh in July 17801781, 1782, 1783, 1784, 1785, 1786 ("discharged"), 1787
Kenny, Mr. C. 1846
Knight, Miss 1828
Kramer, Ernst & Traudel 1847, the Tyrolean Minstrels
Lawrence, Mrs: 1858
Leary, Miss Anna Maria 'The Siren of Vauxhall'. 1785, 1786, 1787 (she lacked confidence), 1788, 1789, 1790, 1791, 1792. She Married Mr. Franklin in 1792/3. Portrait engraved by T. Trotter in 1786.
Leaver, Mrs. 1786, 1790
Leffleur, Mr. The celebrated Basso. 1850
Loder, Mr. 1792
Longhurst, Master 1822 (paid £5 per week, as adult singers), 1823, 1824, 1825 (£2 per week)
Lorraine, Miss 1847
Love, Miss Emma Sarah (1798-1881) (Portrait as frontis. to The Siege of Belgrade, Minet VI, f.185).1825: Buy a Broom [H.R. Bishop/J.R. Planché - headpiece with illus of Miss L. as a broom-seller]. 1826 [portrait, Minet V, f.160]. Article on Miss Love: Kevin H.F. O'Brien and Ann Johnson, 'Emma Sarah Love', Theatre Notebook, LIV , No. 3 (2000) pp. 146 -161
Lowe, Thomas (c.1719March 1783) Actor and tenor singer. Started at DL in 1740. Engaged at Ruckholt as principal singer from the outset and Manager of MG 1760–1768. At Vauxhall 1745, 1746, 1747, 1749, 1750,1751, 1752, 1753, 1754, 1755, 1756,1757, 1758, 1759, 1760, c.1761, (and possibly to 1767) , 1780 (possibly Lowe's son, Halifax).
Lyons, Miss Louisa 1845 (was absent on her first night)
McEwen, Mr. A new comic singer. 1842
Mackney, Mr. 1856
Mahon, Mr. Bass 1785, 1787
Mallinson, Mr. J. From Bath, a very popular comic singer 1823,1824, 1825, 1844
Mapleson, Mrs. 1831, 1833, 1834
Margerum/Margeram, Mrs. From the provincial theatres—Lancaster, Windsor, etc.1807 (1st perf.), 1820
Marshall, Mr. 1845
Martin, Miss 1831 (1st perf. Also at DL)
Martini, Signor From the San Carlos at Naples. 1852 (1st perf.)
Martyr, Mrs. Margaret (d.1807) Soprano and actress, née Thornton.Miss Thornton (see below) married John Martyr on 6 May 1780. Portrait by Gaisborough Dupont in the Garrick Club. Performed "breeches" roles, eg Cherubino. Lived with the oboist W.T. Parke from 1784, and had three childrfen with him in 1792, 1799 and 1803. At Vauxhall as Miss Thornton in in 1779–80 and as Mrs. Martyr 1785, 1786, 1789.
Matthews, Miss 1816
Matthews, Miss Fanny From the St James's Theatre, 1838, 1847
Matthews, Mrs. Frank From the Theatre Royal, St James's. 1838 (1st perf.), 1839
Matthews, Mr. Tom 1859 (last night)
Matz, Mr. Joseph 1859 (last night)
Mears, Mr. The primo tenore, who warbles forth, with a most innocent phiz, playful little ballads. 1833, 1835, 1837
Mears, Mrs. 1859 (Last Night)
Melville, Miss A.H. 'A young lady of interesting appearance' [Vauxhall Observer, 5, p.2] 1823
Merty, Mrs. 1812, paid four guineas a week
Miami, Miss 1855
Milne, Miss 1791, 1792, 1793, 1794, 1795, 1800
Moody, Mr. Comic singer. 1846 (1st perf.), 1849
Morgan, Mr. 1852
Morley, Mr. 1836
Morrell, Miss 1825 (paid £4 per week)
Mountain, Mrs. Rosemond (c.17681841) Soprano and actress. Née Wilkinson. Married to Joseph Mountain, violinist. 1793–1800, 1811. Miniature portrait of 'Rosoman Mountain' by John James Masquerier, after an unknown artist ' S.G.', N.P.G.760
Nelson, Mr. 1824
Nelson, Miss Eliza From the Theatre Royal Drury Lane and Nobilities Concerts. 1850
Newman, Miss 1787, 1790 (returning after a gap)
Noel, Miss With her sly wicked eyes' [Vauxhall Observer 37] 1822 (paid £5 per week), 1823
Norris, Miss Sang Christopher Smart's The Trial of Chaucer's Ghost with Thomas Lowe and Miss Stephenson in 1750
Nunn, Mrs. A pupil of Corri. 1804 (1st perf.)
Olckers, Herr 1854
Owenson, Robert Nugent (17441812) Bass 1770
Page, Mr. (1760?1812) Also compiled musical works. 1786, 1790 ('new to these Gardens').

Page #2, Mr.

1833, 1834
Paget, Miss 1835
Pawsey, Mr. 1852
Parsons, Miss 1845
Pearce, Miss Lydia: 1847, 1851, from the London Concerts. 1853
Percy, Mr. H. 1849
Phelps, Master: Who 'may be considered as a phenomenon - such a voice might charm despair to rest, and make a savage tame.' 1793 (1st perf.) 1794
Philipps, Miss 1856
Pinto, Mrs. Charlotte: (née Brent) Died 10 April 1802, in obscurity and indigence in Vauxhall Walk. Her husband Thomas was leader at the Opera. 1765, 1767, 1768, 1770
Poole, Miss, (Mrs. Dickons) 1787, 1788, 1789
Poole, Miss Caroline (1780-?) First employed at Vauxhall aged 13 in 1793. Married Peter Dickons, a wealthy Yorkshire manufacturer 7 August 1800. Later appeared at CG.
Povey, Miss. 1820, 1826
Pyne, Mr. 1818, 1823, 1824, 1844
Rafter, Mr. 1848
Rafter, Miss 1848
Ransford, Mr. 1844 (also writing songs)
Reeves, Miss Fanny From the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. 1853, 1856
Reinhold, Henry Theodore (1690?1751) Bass. Native of Dresden. At Vauxhall from 1745.
Roberts, Mr. Valentine 1849 (1st perf.)
Robinson, Mr. G. 1825 (£4 per wk) 1826, 1829, 1831, 1832, 1833, 1834, 1836, 1837, 1841 (last night only), 1844, 1845, 1848 ('So long known and so deservedly popular at these Gardens')
Robley, Miss A pupil of Corri, 'who sung at Vauxhall last season, and who is said to sing nearly as well as Miss Lyon'. 1806, 1808 [Cutting, 5 Dec 1807 in author's collection]
Roe, Mr. 1846
Roe, Mrs. John 1846
Ross, Mr. W.G. Comic singer, from the Theatres Royal, Edinburgh and Glasgow. 1849
St. George, Miss Julia: As an actress, had worked with Henry Irving in 1859 at the Princess's Theatre. Died an alcoholic in the St Pancras workhouse, aged 79, in November 1903. 1849 (1st perf.), from the Theatres Royal, Olympic and Sadler's Wells.
Sawford, Mrs.

1849 (First appearance in London)

Sedgwick, Thomas (d.1803) Bass singer. 1793
Sharp[e], Mr. J.W. (c. 1818-1856) Comic Singer. 'the liberal disperser of vapours, megrims and spleen' [Minet archive, 1846]. 'During Mackney's term at the Canterbury,he had among his comic comrades J.W. Sharp, who was one of the funniest fellows that ever appeared on any stage. . . . It was either at Vauxhall Gardens, or at Evans's where Sharp added to his small weekly allowance of lucre and liquor by selling personally in the hall, manuscript copies of his most popular songs, . . . Poor 'Jack' Sharp drifted into becoming a 'tramp' comic singer, making a collection in this or that tavern bar, . . . finally he drifted into the Dover Workhouse, where he died in January, 1856, aged thirty-eight. [Charles Morton]. Edited Sharp's Vauxhall Comic Song- Book, pub'd by Thomas Allman, London. 2 series.The 2nd series has goodtitle page illus.of the VG orchestra with ?Sharp himself singing to an audience, and a frontipiece portrait of Sharp, with a facsimile autograph. 1845, 1846, 1847, 1848, 1851, 1852 1852! (J.W. Sharp), 1853, 1854
Shaw, Mr. 1820, 1821, 1852
Shepherd, Master 1792 (1st perf.)
Sherborne, Mr. 1776
Sherborn(e), Miss/Mrs. 1770, 1774
Simmons, Mr. J. 1846
Sims, Miss 1795, 1800
Sinclair, Mr. 1826, 1846
Singleton, Miss 1811, 1814
Sloman, Mr. Charles 'The only English Improvisitore': [Reminiscences of Vauxhall, Ancient and Modern] 1833, 1858
Smith, Miss 1800
Smith, Mrs. Aveling 1846,1847, 1848
Smith, Mr. 1803, 1811
Smith, Mr. F 1845
Smith, Mr. G. 1829
Smith Mrs 1769
Smith, Master A pupil of Mr. Broadhurst. 1828 (1st perf.)
Smith, Mrs. 1769 (1st Perf)
Smithson/Smythson, Georgiana Pupil of Madame Feron. 1848
Snadden, Miss 1822 (paid £6 per week)
Spiller, Miss Rosina 1849
Stansbury, Mr. G. 1831, 1833. Leader of the band and conductor of the music in 1836, 1837, 1838, 1841 (last night only).
Stephens, Catherine (17941882) Soprano and actress, a protégée of Bishop. She became the Countess of Essex in 1838. Called "the queenly Kitty Stephens" by Walford, p.448. Good portrait at Vauxhall in Minet. Oil portriat by Thomas Lawrence in the Fundación Lázaro Galdiano, Madrid, Inv. No. 2520. It was rumoured that Miss Stephens earned £5,000 from one singing tour to Ireland. 1826
Sterling/Stirling, Mrs. 1812 (paid 10 guineas per week), 1813,1814, 1815
Stevenson/Stephenson, Miss (fl.174858) At Vauxhall by 1748, 1749, 1750. Jockey, 1751, c.1753, 1754, 1755, 1756, 1757,1758, 1759
Stewart, Mrs. 1788 (1st perf.)
Stuart, Mr. Alfred 1853
Stuart, Miss: 1836
Taylor, Miss Agnes 1837, also played the Musical Glasses. 1838, 1844, 1845
Taylor, Mr. Charles 1794 (1st perf.), 1795, 1800, 1811, 1812 (paid £200 for the season), 1813, 1816: sang, for the first time a new 'laughing song', composed by Wm Parke. 1817, 1818, 1819, 1820, 1821, 1822 (Musical Director of VG, paid £60 for the season, and £140 for singing), 1825 (£9 per week), 1826
Taylor, Mr. Charles 1844
Taylor, Mr. Elijah 1858 (E. Taylor mentioned as a regular in 1841—Vauxhall Papers, 119)
Taylor, Miss M. 1837
Taylor, Mr. W. Bass. 1811, 1816
Tedder, Mr. George 1850
Temple, Mr. 1836
Templeton or Templeman, Mr. 1832, 1836 [John Templeton, 1802–1886, Scottish Tenor]
Terrail, Mr. 1808
Thornton, Mr. 1779/80, 1780
Thornton, Miss (Mrs. Martyr) 1778, 1780, 1779
Tinney, Mr. 825 (£4 per week), 1826, 1828
Townsend, Mr. 1800, 1801, 1804
Travis, Miss 1826
Trinklee, Mr. 1845, 8th Oct (1st perf.)
Tunstall, Catherine (1796-March 1846?) An apprentice of Mr. Turnbull. Died suddenly in March 1846 at her house on Wellington Street, Newington Causeway. 1816 (1st perf.), 1819, 1822 (lead singer), 1823, 1824, 1825 (£6 per week). Portrait of Miss. T. as a frontis. to the song Mister Goose [clearly the same as Mistress Goose] by John Parry 'sung with enthusiastic applause' [nd]. Shown with a goose in a suit. She lived at South Place, Somers Estate, North Bloomsbury. Performed at Sadler's Wells with Charles Dibdin 1817-26, and at DL. In the 1830s she was at the Edinburgh Theatre. Engraving of Miss T. and Mrs Mallinson singiing their famous comic duet Joey of Vauxhall in the Orchestra (probably 1823), is in Peter Jackson's collection. In 1822, she was paid £5 per week during the season, and was allowed three nights off to perform in Norwich during the assize week. She eraned more than Edward Hopkins, leader of the military band or Samuel Potter, kettle and bass drum player.
Tyrer, Miss (Mrs. John Liston) (d.1854) 1844
Vernon, Mr. Joseph (1738/9March 1782)
Tenor and actor. Master Vernon, aged 11, was William Savage's pupil at St Paul's Cathedral. Charles Burney calls him 'the best Chorister in any of the three Cathedrals' [Memoirs, frag. 59, Dec 1750.] He was Lowe's successor at Vauxhall; also heir to Lowe's imprudence and debauchery. [Burney, frag. 109, n.4] He had an inferior voice to Lowe, but a better knowledge of music, and a better actor. Also performed at RG and DL.
With face full of laughter view Vernon appear,
He chaunts some gay ballad our spirits to chear;
His talents for humour to all are well known,
For 'twas long since agreed, mirth had made him her own
. (1775)
1763,1764, 1765,1766, 1767, 1768, 1769, 1770, 1771, 1772, 1773, 1774, 1775, 1776, 1777, 1778, 1779, 1780, 1781
Vernon, Mrs. (Miss Weller) 1779/80
Vestris, Mme. Lucia Elizabeth (17971856) Contralto. Née Bartolozzi. Had a luscious low voice. 1826 (1st perf.)
Vincent, Miss 1779/80
Vincent, Miss 1839 (1st perf.)
Vincent, Mrs. Isabella (Miss Burchell, later Mrs. Mills)

Richard Vincent, who married Isabella on 25 August 1755, died in 1766. In 1767 she married John Mills. They had a son who was born and died in India. John Mills was an East India naval captain, transporting passengers and goods to Indid and he later became a public official in Calcutta. He was one of the last survivors of the 'Black Hole of Calcutta'. Inhis Rosciad Churchill writes of Isabella

Lo! Vincent comes with simple grace array'd;
She laughs at paltry arts, and scorns parade.
Nature, through her, is by reflection shown,
Whilst Gay once more knows Polly for his own.'

Isabella died on 9 June 1802 at her home in Hampstead Road, London , and was buried at St. Pancras Old Church.1757,1759,1760,1761,1763

 

Vocalists: English, Irish and French vocalists, 1849
Waite, Miss Presumably the young Mrs. Weichsel. 1824
Warman/Wearman, Miss 1764, c.1775. Presumably a relative of Mrs. Weichsel.
Warral/Warrel, Mrs. 1777
Waylett, Miss Harriett (7 Feb 18001851) neé Cook Taught by Mr. Loder, married Mr. Waylett, an actor, on 17 June 1819. Harriett Waylett was paid £15 per week, for performing in 'Dramatic Pieces and Concerts' [Minet II, f.10]. Like all the other singers, she was to provide her own wardrobe. There were strict financial penalties for missing performances or rehearsals, for imperfect performances, and for taking music books.
1830 (£5 per night), 1832
Webb, Mr. Comic singer and 'Irish melodist', 1819
Weekes, Mr. 1829
Weichsel, Mrs. Frederika (c.1745Jan 5, 1786) Née Weirman/Wiermann, married Carl Weichsell oboist and clarinettist in 1764/5. The mother of Elizabeth Billington. Pupil of J.C. Bach.
Last of all comes Apollo's most fav'rite child,
Sweet Weichsel who warbles her wood-notes so wild,
That the birds are all hush'd as they sit on each spray
And the trees nod applause as she chaunts the sweet lay.
[1775]
c.1765, 1766, 1767, 1768, 1769, 1770, 1771, 1772, 1773, 1774, 1775, 1776,1777, 1778, 1779, 1780, 1781,1782, 1783, 1784, 1785
Weinhert/Wienhart, Madame 1849 (1st perf.)
Weller, Miss (Mrs. Vernon) 1777
Weller, Mr. 1779/80
Wells, Miss M.A. 1847
Wells, Miss J. 1847
Welsh /Welch, Master Tom (17801848) Wells Cathedral chorister from age 6. 1792 in Bath. 1795 (1st perf.), 1796, 1797
Wewitzer, Miss (fl.177289) 1773
Wild, Mr. George 1855
Williams, Mr. W.H. 'Billy' Of the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. Comic Singer. 1823, 1824, 1828, 1829, 1831, 1832, 1833, 1834, 1836, 1844
Williams, Miss Of the King's Concerts, 1823
Williams, Miss Fanny 1855
Wills, Miss Eliza A pupil of Signor Vaccai. 1833
Wilson, Mrs. W. 1845
Witham, Miss 1824, 1825 (£5.10s. per week)
Wolfe, Mr. A pupil of Corri. 1804 (1st perf.)
Woulds, Mr. Comic singer. 1827.
Wright, Miss 1765. Probably Eizabeth Wright (?1751–1769), who married Michael Arne in 1766.
Wrighten, Mrs. Mary Ann (c17511796) Soprano of 'amazing power and comic archness', and composer of spirited songs. Née Matthews.Mrs Wrighten wrote An Apology for the Life and Conduct of Mrs. Mary Wrighten, late a favourite Actress and Singer of Drury Lane Theatre and Vauxhall Gardens to explain why she left her abusive husband,the indifferent actor John Wrighten. In 1786, the couple separated and were involved in legal wranglings so she could not perform and to get away she soon sailed for North America on 'The Betsy'. She had been apprenticed to an organist called Griffiths. She was apparently no beauty but was affable and entertaining company. In the U.S. she worked for John Henry at the Southwark Theatre in Philadelphia and appeared in New York City, eventually settling in Charleston. From 1792 she was billed as Mrs Hugh Pownall . 1777, 1778, 1779, 1780, 1781, 1782, 1783, 1784. Mrs. Wrighten, Mrs. Weichsell and Mrs. Kennedy were 'an excellent trio' [Parke, 1830, I, p.36], 1785, 1786.
Youens, Miss 1800
Young, Miss Cecilia (17121789) Became Mrs. Arne in 1737. The Miss Young, Cecilia's sister, who may have been performing at Vauxhall, was involved in the Charles Sedley incident reported by Burney, c.1746, was probably Isabella, (Mrs Lampe)
Young, Miss Polly (c.1749–1799) A niece of Dr. and Cecilia Arne. Mary 'Polly' Young of the Hay-market married 'Mr Bartollemon, first violin at the Opera-house' in 1766. 1763, 1765 (singing May Eve or Kate of Aberdeen set by Battishill.

KEY

1st perf. First year of performing as a soloist at Vauxhall
Burney memoirs Slava Klima, Garry Bowers, and Kerry S. Grant, Memoirs of Dr. Charles Burney 1726-.1769 (Lincoln and London: University of Nebraska Press, 1988 )
CG Covent Garden
DL Drury Lane
KT King's Theatre
Last Night . The night Vauxhall closed for ever on.Monday 25 July, 1859
Manning & Bray Manning, Revd. Owen, and Bray, William, The History and Antiquities of the.County of Surrey, Vol. III of 3 (London: White, Cochrane & Co.,1804-14), p.489f.
MG Marylebone Gardens
Minet The Vauxhall Gardens archive at the Minet Library in Lambeth
Parke William Thomas Parke, Musical Memoirs, 2 vols. London 1830
PS Philharmonic Society
RG Ranelagh Gardens
Vauxhall Papers Bunn, Alfred [ed], The Vauxhall Papers, 17 Parts (London: John Andrews & John Mitchell, July-August 1841) Illustrated by.Alfred Forrester (pseud. Crowquill)
VG Vauxhall Gardens
Walford Walford, Edward, Old and New London: A .Narrative of its History, its People and its Places .Vol. IV (London: Cassell Petter & Galpin, .n.d. 1873-8), pp.447-467
Much additional information from:
S. Sadie [ed], The New Grove Dictionary of Opera, 4 Vols. (London,Macmillan, 1992)

Singers

Miss Leary at Vauxhall (1793/4)

The Orchestra in 1778

A Daytime Duet 1840s