A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Lover, Samuel

LOVER, Samuel, born at Dublin in 1797, began his career as an artist and miniature painter, was elected a member of the Royal Hibernian Society of Arts in 1828, and afterwards became its secretary. He wrote a number of successful novels, dramas, and poems, and composed both words and music of many songs and ballads. He also appeared as a singer in a musical entertainment, 'The Irishman's Carpet Bag.' His compositions include the music and songs to his dramas and burlettas produced at the London theatres and rendered popular by Mme. Vestris, Tyrone Power, and others, viz. 'Rory O'More,' Adelphi, Sept. 29, 1837; 'White Horse of the Peppers,' Haymarket, 1838; 'Happy Man,' Haymarket, May 20, 1839; 'Greek Boy,' Covent Garden, Sept. 26, 1840; 'Il Paddy Whack in Italia,' English Opera House (Lyceum), April, 1841; 'MacCarthy More,' Lyceum, April 1, 1861, and many detached songs, principally Irish, both humorous and pathetic. Many of these were very effective, as, for instance, his 'What will you do, love?' 'Angel's Whisper,' 'Molly Bawn,' and 'The low-backed Car.' An evening entertainment which he attempted met with some success in England and America. He died July 6, 1868.

[ A. C. ]