Richard Charke facts for kids

Richard Charke (born around 1709 – died around 1738) was a talented English violin player, composer (someone who writes music), opera singer (a baritone, which is a male singing voice), and playwright (someone who writes plays).

Early Life and Career

Richard Charke was born in London. When he was young, he worked as a dancing teacher. In 1729, Colley Cibber, who managed the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, hired him. Richard became the leader of the orchestra there. Soon after, he started playing the violin by himself and singing small parts in plays. He eventually moved on to play main roles in the musical shows at Drury Lane. He starred in plays like Henry Carey’s The Contrivances (1729) and Cibber’s Damon and Phillida (1729).

Music for the Stage

Richard Charke had a great sense of humor and was very witty. He used these skills in pantomimes, which are plays that combine music, dance, and comedy. He mostly wrote music for them, but he also wrote some of the plays.

Pantomimes

Charke created several fun "Medley Overtures." These were musical pieces that mixed different popular tunes together. They became very well-liked for pantomime shows in the 1730s and 1740s. He wrote only one full pantomime himself, called Harlequin Restored, or, The Country Revels. This show included music by both him and Thomas Arne. It first opened at Drury Lane in December 1732.

Other Works

Besides pantomimes, Charke also wrote one ballad opera. A ballad opera is a type of play with songs that use popular tunes. His opera was called The Festival and it first showed in 1734. A famous singer named Susannah Maria Cibber starred in it. He also wrote songs for other plays. These included W.R. Chetwood's The Lovers Opera (1729) and The Generous Freemason (1730). He also contributed to James Miller's The Humours of Oxford (1730).

Personal Challenges

Richard Charke's personal life had some difficulties. In 1730, he married Charlotte Cibber, who was the youngest daughter of his manager. They often argued. A few months after they got married, he started spending time with other women. He also loved to gamble and spent money without thinking. In the summer of 1736, he left England and went to Jamaica. He did this to avoid paying his gambling debts. Sadly, he became sick soon after arriving in Jamaica. He passed away in late 1737 or early 1738.