Joseph Vernon facts for kids
Joseph Vernon (born around 1738, died 1782) was a famous English actor and singer. He had a very successful career on the London stage. He started performing as a boy soprano, singing with a high voice. His career was only briefly paused by a personal event early in his life.
Contents
Early Life and First Performances
Joseph Vernon was born in Coventry, England, around 1738. He moved to London to study music. He joined the choir of St Paul's Cathedral and learned from William Savage.
As a young boy, Joseph had a beautiful soprano voice. On February 23, 1751, he sang at the famous Drury Lane Theatre. He performed in an opera called Alfred by Thomas Arne.
He also appeared in other shows that year. These included Queen Mab, a pantomime by Henry Woodward. He was also in the funeral scene of Romeo and Juliet. Later, he performed in The Shepherd's Lottery, an opera by William Boyce. By 1754, he was singing tenor parts and acting in comedies at Drury Lane.
Return to the Stage
Joseph Vernon returned to Drury Lane Theatre in 1762. The famous actor and theater manager David Garrick gave him many important roles. Joseph was known for his excellent singing and natural acting style. He performed in plays by William Shakespeare.
He also took on funny roles in comedies. Some of these were Colonel Bully in The Provoked Wife and Master Stephen in Every Man in his Humour. He played Sir John Loverule in The Devil to Pay and Sharp in Garrick's The Lying Valet.
Even though some people said his voice wasn't as strong later on, he kept singing. He performed in many operas and short musical plays. A song in the famous play The School for Scandal was written just for him. It was composed by Thomas Linley. Joseph also played the main character in Linley's first opera, Selima and Azor.
Later Years and Passing
Joseph Vernon's last performances were in several well-known shows. He played Artabanes in Artaxerxes. He was also the First Bacchanal in Comus. His final new role was Truemore in The Lord of the Manor in 1780.
He continued to perform in these and his older roles until October 6, 1781. Joseph Vernon passed away on March 19, 1782, in Lambeth.
His Musical Works
Around 1782, Joseph Vernon put together a songbook. It was called The New London and Country Songster, or a Banquet of Vocal Music. He also wrote his own songs and ballads.
Some of his compositions included "New Songs in the Pantomime of the Witches." He also wrote the epilogue song for Shakespeare's Twelfth Night. Another song he composed was for the play Two Gentlemen of Verona.
