John Abell facts for kids

John Abell was a Scottish musician born in 1653. He was a singer with a special high voice, called a countertenor. He also wrote music and played the lute, which is like a guitar. He became famous for his musical talents in the late 1600s and early 1700s.

Life as a Musician

John Abell was born in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, in 1653. By 1679, he joined the Chapel Royal. This was a group of musicians who performed for King Charles II. John Abell sang, played the lute, and was also a violinist for the King. The King even sent him to Venice, Italy, to show off his amazing singing voice. John Abell returned to England by 1682.

Between 1679 and 1688, King Charles II gave him a lot of money to help him study music. During this time, he earned a music degree from Cambridge University. He also married Lady Frances Knollys in 1685.

Travels and Fame

In 1688, there was a big political change in England called the Glorious Revolution. Because of this, John Abell left England and traveled across Europe. He became very famous and wealthy because of his singing. Many interesting stories are told about his travels.

One famous story says that when he arrived in Warsaw, the King of Poland wanted to hear him sing. John Abell tried to avoid going at first. But he was told that the King would be very angry if he refused. So, he agreed to meet the King the next day.

When he arrived at the palace, he was seated in a chair in a large hall. The chair was then lifted very high into the air. Suddenly, the King and his helpers appeared in a balcony above him. At the same moment, several wild bears were let into the hall below him! The King told John Abell to choose: either sing or be lowered down among the bears. John Abell quickly chose to sing. He later said he had never sung so well in his life!

Return to England

In 1696, another musician named Daniel Purcell tried to get John Abell to come back to England. He offered him a very large salary, but Abell said no. He worked as a music director in Kassel, Germany, from 1698 to 1699.

Around 1700, John Abell finally returned to England. In 1701, he performed the main role in Daniel Purcell's opera, The Judgment of Paris. The next year, his song for Queen Anne's coronation, Aloud proclaim the cheerful sound, was performed.

He also gave public and private concerts. He taught music to others as well. John Abell wrote and collected many songs in the Italian style that was popular at the time. A collection of his songs was published in 1701. Another collection was published after he died in 1740. He spent his later years in Cambridge, England. It is believed he died there sometime after 1716.