Cecilia Maria Barthélemon facts for kids

Cecilia Maria Barthélemon (born September 1, 1767 – died December 5, 1859) was a talented English musician. She was a singer, composer, pianist, and organist. Cecilia published many musical pieces, including sonatas. She also performed as a singer in musicals.

Early Life and Musical Beginnings

Cecilia Maria Barthélemon was born in 1767. Her parents were also very musical. Her mother, Maria Barthélemon, was a singer and composer. Her father, François-Hippolyte Barthélémon, was a violinist and singer.

From a young age, Cecilia learned music from her parents. She learned to sing and play several instruments. These included the harpsichord, piano, organ, and harp. Until 1788, she also studied harpsichord, piano, and organ with Johann Samuel Schröter.

When Cecilia was a baby, her parents took her on a music tour to Dublin in 1771–1772. In 1776, the family traveled through Germany, France, and Italy. During this tour, Cecilia sang for important people. She performed for the King of Naples and the Queen of France.

Professional Music Career

Cecilia made her first public appearance in London on March 3, 1779. She sang an Italian duet with her mother at the Haymarket Theatre. Her next big performance was in April 1782. She played the part of the First Fairy in a musical called "The Arcadian Pastoral." Her father led the orchestra, and her mother directed the singers off-stage.

In April 1784, Cecilia performed at a special concert for her father. She played a piano concerto after the first part of Thomas Arne's opera Eliza. Her father played along with her on the viola d’amore. After the second part of the opera, Cecilia and her mother sang another Italian duet.

Cecilia's own music began to be published between 1786 and 1795. Her first published work was a book of Three Sonatas for the Piano-Forte, or Harpsichord. The second sonata in the book also had music for a violin. After this, she published four more sonatas.

When the famous composer Joseph Haydn visited England in the 1790s, the Barthélemon family became good friends with him. Haydn even gave Cecilia copies of his music. Cecilia showed her respect by dedicating some of her own compositions to him.

Cecilia Maria Barthélemon passed away on December 5, 1859.

Family Life

Cecilia Barthélemon was married two times. We know this because she wrote her name in her copies of Haydn's music using two different last names. On one copy, she signed as Cecilia Maria Hinchcliffe.

On another copy, she used the name Cecilia Maria Henslow. Cecilia married Captain E.P. Henslow around December 1796. After her marriage, she stopped performing in public concerts.

Musical Compositions

Here are some of the musical pieces Cecilia Barthélemon composed:

• Op. 1: Three Sonatas for the Piano-Forte, or Harpsichord, the Second with an Accompaniment for the Violin, 1786. This collection of pieces was dedicated to Princess Sophia Matilda of Gloucester.
• Op. 2: Two Sonatas for the Piano-Forte, 1792. These pieces were dedicated to the Duchess of York.
• Op. 3: Sonata for the Piano-Forte or Harpsichord, 1794. This piece was dedicated to J. Haydn M.D.
• Op. 4: Sonata for the Piano-Forte or Harpsichord, with an Accompaniment for a Violin, 1795. This piece was dedicated to Her Majesty The Queen of Naples.
• The Capture of the Cape of Good Hope, for the piano-forte or harpsichord. This piece was dedicated to Sir George Keith Elphinstone, KB.

See also

In Spanish: Cecilia Maria Barthélemon para niños