Chatterton, John Balsir |
| HARPIST, COMPOSER (ENGLAND) |
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BORN 25 Nov 1804, Portsmouth, Hampshire - DIED 9 Apr 1871, London: Portman Square GRAVE LOCATION London: Kensal Green Cemetery, Harrow Road, Kensal Green (093/3 (22733), carrara marble headstone) |
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John Balsir Chatterton was the son of John Chatterton, a professor of music. In London he studied harp under Nicolas-Charles Bochsa and Théodore Labarre. He succeeded Bochsa as professor at the Royal Academy of Music in 1827 after Boschsa was forced to resign because of legal problems in France. In 1824 Chatterton first appeared in London at a concert given by Aspull. In 1835 he married Eliza Davenport Latham. They had five sons. Although his younger brother Frederick Chatterton (1812-1894) was better known as a harpist, John Balsir was appointed harpist to Queen Victoria in 1842. He held this post until his death and his last performance at Windsor took place when Princess Louise married on 21 March 1871. He died less than three weeks later. His harp compositions were mostly fantasias and arrangements. |
| Images |
 The grave of John Balsir Chatterton at Kensal Green Cemetery, Kensal Green, London. Picture by Androom (18 Apr 2024) |
Sources • John Balsir Chatterton - Wikipedia • John Balsir Chatterton, professor at the Royal Academy of Music – Tokens of Companionship |
