A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Rigby, George

RIGBY, George Vernon, born Jan. 21, 1840, when about 9 years old was a chorister of St. Chad's Cathedral, Birmingham, where he remained for about 7 years. In 1860, his voice having changed to a tenor, he decided upon becoming a singer, and tried his strength at some minor concerts in Birmingham and its neighbourhood, and succeeded so well that in 1861 he removed to London, and on March 4 appeared at the Alhambra, Leicester Square (then a concert room, managed by E. T. Smith), and in August following at Mellon's Promenade Concerts at Covent Garden. In 1865 he sang in the provinces as a member of H. Corri's Opera Company, until November, when he went to Italy and studied under San Giovanni at Milan, where in Nov. 1866 he appeared at the Carcano Theatre as the Fisherman in Rossini's 'Guglielmo Tell.' He next went to Berlin, and in Jan. 1867 appeared at the Victoria Theatre there, in the principal tenor parts in 'Don Pasquale,' 'La Sonnambula,' and 'L'ltaliana in Algieri.' He then accepted a three months engagement in Denmark, and performed Il Conte Almaviva in the 'Barbiere,' Il Duca in 'Rigoletto,' and other parts, in Copenhagen and other towns. He returned to England in Sept. 1867, and sang at various places. In 1868 he was engaged at the Gloucester Festival with Sims Reeves, whose temporary indisposition afforded him the opportunity of singing the part of Samson in Handel's oratorio, in which he acquitted himself so ably that he was immediately engaged by the Sacred Harmonic Society, where he appeared, Nov. 27, 1868, with signal success, and immediately established himself as an oratorio singer. In 1869 he appeared on the stage of the Princess's Theatre as Acis in Handel's 'Acis and Galatea.' He has since maintained a prominent position at all the principal concerts and festivals in town and country. His voice is of fine quality, full compass, and considerable power, and he sings with earnestness and care.

[ W. H. H. ]