Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Evans, Charles Smart

1151424Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900, Volume 18 — Evans, Charles Smart1889Louisa M. Middleton

EVANS, CHARLES SMART (1778–1849), vocalist and composer, was a chorister under Dr. Ayrton, and in 1808 a gentleman of the Chapel Royal. His name appears among the alto singers in the chorus of the ‘Ancient Concerts’ of 1798, and he took part with Braham and others in the music performed at Weber's funeral in 1826. Four of Evans's part-songs gained prizes from the Glee and Catch Clubs, namely: ‘Beauties, have you seen a toy?’ 1811; ‘Fill all the glasses,’ 1812; ‘Ode to the Memory of Samuel Webbe,’ 1817; and ‘Great Bacchus,’ 1821. Subsequently he became a catholic and a member of the choir of the chapel of the Portuguese embassy. Evans wrote a ‘Magnificat,’ and some motetts, contained in books iv. and v. of Novello's ‘Collection of Motetts.’ He was also the composer of many songs. He died 4 Jan. 1849.

[Gillow's Dict. of English Catholics, ii. 185; Grove, i. 498; Musical Recollections of the Last Half Century, i. 136; Programmes of the Ancient Concerts; Quarterly Musical Magazine and Review, viii. 127.]

L. M. M.