Joseph Antonio Emidy facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Joseph Antonio Emidy
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| Born | Guinea |
| Died | Truro, Cornwall |
| Occupation | Composer, Violinist |
Joseph Antonio Emidy (1775 – 23 April 1835) was a talented musician from Guinea. When he was young, he was taken from his home and forced into slavery by Portuguese traders. Later, he gained his freedom and lived in Portugal. He then joined the Royal Navy against his will. After leaving the Navy, he settled in Cornwall, England. Joseph Emidy became a very well-known and respected violin player and composer in the area. He passed away in 1835.
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Emidy's Early Life and Freedom
Joseph Emidy was born in Guinea. As a child, he was sold into slavery by Portuguese traders. They took him first to Brazil and then to Portugal. In Portugal, he became an amazing violinist at the Lisbon Opera. This means he was incredibly skilled at playing the violin.
During the Napoleonic Wars, sailors from the Royal Navy forced him to join their ship. This was called being "press-ganged." He served for four years as a fiddler (another name for a violinist) on a ship led by Admiral Sir Edward Pellew.
Becoming a Famous Musician
In 1799, Joseph Emidy was released from the Navy in Falmouth, Cornwall. He started earning a living by playing the violin and teaching music. He soon became the leader of the Truro Philharmonic Orchestra.
Emidy grew to be one of the most famous and important musicians in Cornwall during the early 1800s. He wrote many pieces of music, including concertos and a symphony. Sadly, none of his original music copies are known to exist today.
Emidy's Family Life
In 1802, Joseph Emidy married Jane Hutchins. She was the daughter of a local business owner. They had eight children together. Around 1815, the family moved to Truro, a town in Cornwall.
Joseph Emidy's Legacy
Joseph Emidy died in Truro, Cornwall. His grave can be found in Kenwyn churchyard. His gravestone shares a message about his life and love for music. It says he was from Portugal and lived in Cornwall for about 40 years, dedicating his life to music.
In 2007, a special service was held at Kenwyn Church. It marked 200 years since the abolition of the slave trade in the British Empire. Joseph Emidy's life was celebrated, and music from his time was played.
A play called The Tin Violin was written about Joseph Emidy by Dr Alan M. Kent. In 2015, a carved wooden boss (a decorative carving) was placed in Truro Cathedral to remember him.
See also
- Ignatius Sancho: A black English composer (1729 - 1780).
- George Bridgetower: A black Polish-born composer (1778 - 1860) who died in London.
- Samuel Coleridge-Taylor: Another black English composer (1875-1912).
