A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Perry, George

PERRY, George, born at Norwich in 1793, was a chorister of Norwich Cathedral under Dr. Beckwith. On leaving the choir he learned to play on the violin, and in a few years became leader of the band at the theatre. Whilst resident in Norwich he produced his oratorio, 'The Death of Abel.' In 1817 he composed an overture for 'The Persian Hunters,' produced at the English Opera House, and in 1818 a short oratorio, 'Elijah and the Priests of Baal.' In 1822 he settled in London and was appointed director of the music at the Haymarket Theatre, for which he composed the opera of 'Morning, Noon, and Night' (1822), and numerous songs for introduction into various pieces. He also held the post of organist of Quebec Chapel. In 1830 he produced his oratorio, 'The Fall of Jerusalem.' On the establishment of the Sacred Harmonic Society in 1832 Perry became leader of the band, an office which he retained until the end of 1847. On the removal of Surman from the conductorship of the Society early in 1848, Perry assumed the baton until the end of the season, but not being elected conductor, he shortly afterwards resigned his leadership and quitted the Society. On Feb. 10, 1836 he produced a sacred cantata, 'Belshazzar's Feast,' and in 1847 a short oratorio, 'Hezekiah.' In 1846 he resigned his appointment at Quebec Chapel and became organist of Trinity Church, Gray's Inn Road, He composed some anthems, including two with orchestra on the accession of Queen Victoria (1837) and the birth of the Princess Royal (1840), and additional accompaniments to several of Handel's oratorios and other pieces. He died March 4, 1862. His 'Death of Abel' and 'Fall of Jerusalem' were performed by the Sacred Harmonic Society. Perry was a man of considerable ability. He was in the constant habit of doing that which in the case of Mozart is usually spoken of as a remarkable effort of memory—namely, writing out the separate parts of a large work without first making a score. One, at least, of his oratorios was committed to paper in this way.

[ W. H. H. ]