Harriet Wainwright facts for kids
Harriet Wainwright Stewart (c. 1766–1843) was a British composer, singer, and writer. A musical entrepreneur, she developed a subscription list of several hundred people and sold at least two of her compositions (Comala and Seringapatam) to subscribers.
Family
There is conflicting data regarding Harriet's date of birth and parents. Most sources claim she was born in 1766 and was the daughter of Robert Wainwright, a Liverpool musician. However, a copy of her burial entry from St. Mary Paddington register clearly states she was 82 at the time of her death, in 1843. This would imply Harriet Wainwright was born in 1761. If this is the case, it's unlikely that Robert Wainwright was her father as he was only 13 at the time of Harriet's birth.
There's reason to believe that Wainwright could have been the daughter of Thomas Wainewright. She is mentioned in his will, dated 23 January 1803, as his daughter and the wife of Captain John Stewart of the Bengal Army. According to the document, Thomas Wainewright had another daughter, Charlotte Badger, the wife of Mr John Badger. It is not known for sure who Thomas Wainewright was, however, there's evidence to think he was an apothecary and could have been appointed as such to King George III in 1783.
In her will, Harriet mentions Robert Weinewright (died in 1841) as her cousin. His father, another Robert Weinewright, a Principal Clerk one of the six Clerks of Chancery, could have been the brother of Thomas Wainewright, Harriet's father.
Early Years
Wainwright's teachers included Dr. Richard Woodward, organist of Christ Church, Dublin, and John Worgan, a London organist known for his performances at Vauxhall Gardens. She moved to London in the 1780s, where she socialized with music historian Charles Burney, who commented that he knew of no female contrapuntist in Europe who could surpass Wainwright.
Wainwright's opera Comala was performed at Hanover Square in London on 26 January 1792. Sophia Corri and James Bartleman sang the leads. Six boys from the choir at Westminster Abbey were the chorus, coached by the Abbey organist Dr. Benjamin Cooke. Composer Ignaz Pleyel attended the performance and praised the opera. Wainwright sold copies of the score to her subscription list.
India
Wainwright moved to Calcutta, India, in 1796. In 1801, she married Captain John Stewart of the East India Company's Bengal Army, who eventually became a lieutenant colonel. She continued to publish her compositions under the name "Wainwright."
Comala was performed in India with Wainwright singing the main role. Richard, Marquis of Wellesley, Governor of India, published an "appreciation" of the work in the Calcutta Post on 27 April 1804.
An unidentified admirer sent Wainwright a poem about the British victory at Seringapatam (see Srirangapatna), and suggested that she set it to music. The chorus she composed based on this poem was also sold to her subscription list.
Later years and death
The Stewarts left India in 1811 and were living in Perth, Scotland, when John died in 1820. Wainwright eventually moved back to London, where she published Critical Remarks on the Art of Singing in 1836. She died in 1843.
Will
Below is a transcript of Wainwright's will dated 4 February 1839. The will was proved 5 December 1843.
Note: The words that are illegible are marked with a question mark.
I Harriet Stewart widow of the late Lieutenant Colonel Stewart of 6 Nutford Place Briconstone(?) Square in the Parish of Marylebone in the County of Middlesex being sound in mind and body do make and publish this my last will and testament. I desire to be buried in Paddington church yard in the same grave with John Stewart in case I should die in or within ten miles of London but if not then in the nearest burial ground belonging to the Parish wherein I may die and that my funeral may be conducted in a respectable but uncostentatious manner. I direct my executors hereinafter named to collect and receive all monies which may be due to me at the time of my decease and to convert into money all stocks and funds which may belong to me and thereout in the first place pay all my just debts together with my funeral and testamentary expenses and as to any sum or sums of money which may appear by any writing or books of account I the hold as Trustee of or for the benefit of any other persons Idirect my executors to do all necessary acts for transferring the same to them.
Wainwright nominates and constitutes Mary Ann Longley and Thomas Farmer as executors of her will. She directs her executors to employ Robert Bow to conduct her funeral.
She then makes the following bequests:
- leave £50 each to her cousin Robert Wainwright of 3 Grays Inn Road; Mrs Mary Ann Longley of 10 Bedford Square East "as a mark of esteem and friendship"; Thomas Farmer (?) Of Queensquare Houss (her executor);
- leave £10 to Robert Bow of Crawford Street, Marylebone;
- leave £50 to Charles James Brown "as a token of my sincere friendship";
- leave £10 each for mourning to her servants;
The remainder of her wealth was divided between two charities, the Strangers' Friend Society and Benevolent Loan (?) Society.
Compositions
Wainwright's music was published by Cianchettini and William Napier. Several of her manuscripts are archived at the British Library. Her compositions included:
Opera
- Comala (text by Ossian)
- Don Quixote
Vocal
- Collection of Songs: Duets, Trios & Choruses
- "Merrily, Merrily Passes the Day"'
- Seringapatam (chorus; text by unknown author)
