A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Vernon, Joseph

VERNON, Joseph, originally appeared at Drury Lane as a soprano singer in 1751. On Feb. 23 he sang in 'Alfred' (music by Arne and others), and on Nov. 19 performed the part of Thyrsis in Dr. Boyce's 'Shepherd's Lottery.' In 1754 he became a tenor singer. In the early part of 1755 he married, at the Savoy Chapel, Miss Poitier, a singer at Drury Lane. There was some irregularity in the performance of the ceremony which infringed the law for the prevention of clandestine marriages, and Wilkinson, the chaplain of the Savoy, and Grierson, his curate, the actual celebrant, were tried, convicted and transported. Vernon had been compelled to appear as a witness against Grierson upon his trial, and the public, unjustly suspecting him of having instigated the prosecution, refused to allow him to appear upon the stage. His enforced retirement lasted until the end of 1756, when he was permitted to return, and became an established favourite. He had an indifferent voice, but sang with such excellent taste and judgment as to render his organic defect almost imperceptible. He was moreover an admirable actor, and was constantly allotted parts in which no singing was required. This rare union of the qualities of singer and actor peculiarly fitted him for such parts as the Clown in 'Twelfth Night,' and Autolycus in 'The Winter's Tale,' in both of which he excelled. He was the original Cymon in Michael Arne's opera of that name. Linley composed for him the well-known song in 'The School for Scandal.' He was for many years a favourite singer at Vauxhall. He composed, and about 1762 published in a volume, 'The New Songs in the Pantomime of The Witches; the celebrated Epilogue in the Comedy of Twelfth Night; a Song in The Two Gentlemen of Verona; and two favourite Ballads sung by Mr. Vernon at Vauxhall.' He died at South Lambeth, March 19, 1782.

[ W. H. H. ]