BISHOP, SIR HENRY ROWLEY English musical composer, was born in London on Nov. 18, 5786. He studied with Francisco Bianchi, and his first work, a collection of 12 glees and some Italian songs, shows his master's influence.
After various earlier efforts the Maniac, an opera written for the Lyceum in 1810, established his reputation, and probably secured for him an appointment for three years as composer for Covent Garden theatre. The numerous works—operas, burlettas, cantatas, incidental music to Shakespeare's plays, etc.—which he composed while in this position, are, however, in great part forgotten. The most successful were—The Virgin of the Sun (1812), The Miller and His Men (1813), Guy Mannering and The Slave 0816), Maid Marian (182 2) and Clari (1823), introducing the air of "Home, Sweet Home." In 1825 Bishop was induced by Elliston to transfer his services from Covent Garden to the rival house in Drury Lane, for which he wrote the opera of Aladdin, intended to compete with Weber's Oberon, commissioned by the other house. The result was a failure, and with Aladdin (1826) Bishop's career as an operatic composer may be said to have closed. On the formation of the Philharmonic Society in 1813 Bishop was appointed one of the directors. In 1830 he was appointed musical director at Vauxhall; during this period he produced his popular song, "My Pretty Jane," which Sims Reeves made world famous. In 1841 he was appointed Reid professor of music in the Univer sity of Edinburgh, but resigned in 1843. He was knighted in 1842, being the first musician who ever received that honour. In 1848 he succeeded Dr. Crotch in the chair of music at Oxford. He died on April 3o, 18S5. Bishop was twice married : to Miss Lyon and Miss Anne Riviere, both of whom were singers. His name lives in connection with his numerous glees, songs and smaller compositions.
See Richard Northcott, The Life of Sir Henry R. Bishop (1920).