James Bartleman (singer) facts for kids

James Bartleman (1769–1821) was an English singer known for his deep voice. He performed at important music events called the Concerts of Ancient Music. He also helped bring back many solo songs by the famous composer Henry Purcell.

Early Life and Career

James Bartleman was born on September 19, 1769. He studied music with Dr. Cooke in Westminster and became a chorister (a choir singer) at Westminster Abbey. Even as a young boy, he was a very talented singer. People liked him for his kind and friendly personality. He was a favorite of his teacher and also of Sir John Hawkins, a well-known writer. Sir John's daughter, Laetitia, often wrote about James, praising his singing and his good character.

In 1788, James Bartleman began singing as a bass singer at the Concerts of Ancient Music. He continued to perform there for many years. In 1792, he was the main singer in the first performance of Harriet Wainwright's opera Comala. For a few years (1792-1794), he sang as the main bass singer at new concerts started by Samuel Harrison and Charles Knyvett.

His Unique Voice

Even though he was called a bass singer, his voice was more like a baritone. A baritone voice is deeper than a tenor but not as deep as a bass. A writer in the London Magazine in 1820 said his voice was much nicer and more powerful than a typical bass. They even compared his voice to a cello, a beautiful string instrument.

James Bartleman's voice had an amazing range, from very low notes to higher ones. The same writer also said that he sang perfectly in tune. His rich and even voice was partly because of how he pronounced words when he sang.

Bringing Back Purcell's Music

James Bartleman greatly admired the solo songs of Henry Purcell, a famous English composer from the 1600s. In 1796, during the Ancient Concerts season, James helped bring back many of Purcell's bass songs. These songs later became some of Purcell's most well-known works. This included the "Frost Scene" from the opera King Arthur and "Let the dreadful engines of eternal will" from Cardenio.

Other composers, like John Wall Callcott and William Crotch, even wrote songs especially for James Bartleman to sing. He was also very good at copying music by hand.

Later Life and Death

In April 1821, the London Magazine reported that James Bartleman was too ill to sing. People hoped he would get better from the illness he had been dealing with for a long time. However, he passed away on April 15, 1821. He was buried in the cloisters (covered walkways) of Westminster Abbey, where he had once sung as a boy.