Allan James Foley facts for kids
Allan James Foley (born August 7, 1837 – died October 10, 1899) was a very talented Irish opera singer. He had a deep, powerful bass voice. He was born in Cahir, Tipperary, Ireland. Back then, many people preferred Italian artists. So, Allan Foley changed his name to 'Signor Foli' to sound more Italian. He kept the same pronunciation, though!
Allan's family moved to America, and he grew up in Hartford, Connecticut. He first worked as a carpenter. But he loved to sing! He studied singing in Naples, Italy. His first performance was in Catania in 1862. Later, a famous show organizer named Mapleson hired him. Allan made his first London appearance in 1865 in the opera Les Huguenots. He then toured many cities in Britain, singing with other big stars.
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Allan James Foley: A Star on Stage
Allan James Foley became a regular and very successful singer for Mapleson's opera company. In 1866, he sang in Il Seraglio. In 1868, he performed in La Gazza Ladra. He was also in the opening show of Norma in 1869. A big moment came in 1870. He sang the role of Daland in the first English performance of The Flying Dutchman. He was also famous for playing Sparafucile in Rigoletto and the Commendatore in Don Giovanni. Allan knew how to sing in about 60 different operas!
Concerts and Oratorios: Beyond Opera
Besides opera, Allan also sang in many concerts and oratorios. Oratorios are like operas but without costumes or acting. They tell a story using music and singing. In 1866, he sang in Israel in Egypt. He had a big success in 1867 with Haydn's The Creation. He also sang in the first performance of Macfarren's Joseph in 1877. In 1882, he was part of the first show of Gounod's La Rédemption. Even in his late 50s, he was still singing in famous works like Handel's Messiah.
Singing Around the World
Allan James Foley traveled a lot for his music. In 1873, he toured Russia, singing in Moscow and St Petersburg. He had great success there. He also went to America several times, starting in 1878. He sang in a special performance of I Puritani in Chicago. He also performed in Vienna, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada. Allan often sang in big concerts at the Royal Albert Hall in London. He even helped raise money for a fellow singer, Mario, who was having a tough time.
Allan's voice was strong and beautiful. He could sing very low notes and also higher ones. People in London loved his energetic and clear singing style. He often sang popular songs like Bedouin Love Song and Rock'd in the Cradle of the Deep. He also sang famous pieces from operas. His voice was so good that even George Bernard Shaw, a famous writer, praised his singing.
Allan James Foley: Early Recordings
Allan James Foley was one of the very first classical musicians to make a phonograph recording! This happened at The Crystal Palace in 1878. A phonograph was a very early machine that could record and play sounds. Newspapers wrote about it!
At a special recording session, Allan sang a verse of a song called 'Jack's Yarn' into the machine. A few seconds later, the machine played it back! It wasn't as loud as his real voice, but it worked. One of Allan's friends even bought the recording. He wanted to play it for Allan's friends back in New Jersey. It's not known if that recording still exists today.
Allan James Foley's Personality
Allan James Foley was known for his strong personality. He could sometimes get very angry if things weren't right. There's a story that he once threw his dinner, plate and all, out of a restaurant window because he didn't like the meal! He shouted, "That's what's wrong with it!" But his anger usually faded quickly. He was also known to be very generous.
Signor Foli passed away suddenly in October 1899 in Southport. He had gone to Liverpool to say goodbye to another famous singer, Clara Butt, who was leaving for a tour. Allan was good at managing his money and made sure his wife, Rosita, and his family were well taken care of.
Years later, another great Irish singer, John McCormack, used the stage name 'Giovanni Foli' for his first opera performance in Italy. This showed how much Allan James Foley was respected.
