A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Rooke, William

ROOKE, William Michael, son of John Rourke, a Dublin tradesman, was born in South Great George's Street, Dublin, Sept. 29, 1794. His bent for music, which displayed itself at an early age, was sternly discouraged by his father, who wished him to follow his own avocation, but before he was sixteen, he was, by his father's death, left free to follow his own inclination. He studied, almost unaided, so assiduously, that in 1813 he took to music as a profession, learned counterpoint under Dr. Cogan, a Dublin professor, and became a teacher of the violin and pianoforte. Among his pupils on the former instrument was Balfe, then a boy. In 1817 he was appointed chorus-master and deputy leader at the theatre in Crow Street, Dublin, and soon afterwards composed a polacca, 'Oh Glory, in thy brightest hour,' which was sung by Braham, and met with great approbation. A few years later he removed to England. In 1826 he was leading oratorios at Birmingham, and in the same year came to London, and sought the appointment of chorus-master at Drury Lane, and established himself as a teacher of singing. About this period he composed his opera, 'Amilie, or The Love Test,' which, after he had waited many years for an opportunity of producing it, was brought out at Covent Garden, Dec. 2, 1837, with decided success, and at once established his reputation as a composer of marked ability. He immediately commenced the composition of a second opera, and on May 2, 1839 produced at Covent Garden 'Henrique, or, The Love Pilgrim,' which although most favourably received, was withdrawn after five performances on account of a misunderstanding with the manager. He composed a third opera entitled 'Cagliostro,' which has never been performed. He died Oct. 14, 1847, and was buried in Brompton Cemetery.

[ W. H. H. ]