John Beard (tenor) facts for kids
John Beard (born around 1716 – died February 5, 1791) was a famous English tenor singer in the 1700s. He is best known for creating many important roles in the operas and oratorios by the famous composer George Frideric Handel.
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Early Life and Singing Career
We don't know exactly when John Beard was born or who his parents were. We first know for sure that he was a boy singer, called a treble, in the Chapel Royal choir. This was during the crowning ceremony of King George II in 1727.
He first sang Handel's music in 1732. The boys in the choir performed in a show of Handel's Esther. Beard left the choir in 1734. Right away, he started singing as a tenor in Handel's opera Il pastor fido.
John Beard continued to sing for Handel for many years. He performed in almost all of Handel's English oratorios, odes, and music dramas. He even created the main roles in ten of Handel's operas. These included the heroic characters in Samson, Judas Maccabeus, and Jephtha. These roles needed strong and expressive singing.
A Popular Performer
In 1762, Beard also created roles in two new operas by Thomas Arne. He played Farmer Hawthorn in Love in a Village and Artabanes in Artaxerxes.
A music writer named Charles Burney said that Beard was always liked by the public. This was because he was a good person, knew a lot about music, and was a smart actor. Burney also wrote that Beard was "an energetic English singer, and an excellent actor." He said Beard was "the most useful and favourite singer of his time." Beard sang on stage, at places like Ranelagh, and in many concerts. He always had a main part in Handel's oratorios. His knowledge of music made him a strong support for the choirs.
"God Save the King"
After a battle in Scotland in 1745, John Beard was one of four singers who performed a new patriotic song. This song was called "God save great George our King." It was sung after a show at the Drury Lane theatre. The song was quickly written by Thomas Arne. Soon after, it became known as the British National Anthem.
Personal Life and Retirement
In 1739, John Beard married Lady Henrietta Herbert. She was a widow and the daughter of James Waldegrave, 1st Earl Waldegrave. Lady Henrietta passed away in 1753. In 1758, Beard married again. His second wife was Charlotte Rich, the daughter of John Rich.
After John Rich died in 1761, Beard took over managing the Covent Garden theatre. He managed it until it was sold in 1767 for £60,000. The money was then shared among Rich's wife and his four daughters.
In 1767, John Beard had to retire from singing because he was becoming very deaf. In 1764, King George III had given him the title 'Vocal performer in extraordinary'. This came with a good salary of £100 a year. This allowed him to live comfortably in retirement in Hampton. He passed away there in 1791.
