Cooke, Thomas Simpson |
| COMPOSER, CONDUCTOR, OPERA SINGER, MUSICAL DIRECTOR (IRELAND) |
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BORN 1782, Dublin - DIED 26 Feb 1848, London: Great Portland Street GRAVE LOCATION London: Kensal Green Cemetery, Harrow Road, Kensal Green (100/RS (7420)) |
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Thomas Simpson Cooke was the son of oboist Baetlett Cooke, a co-founder of the Irish Musical Fund in 1787. His father owned a music shop at 45 Dame Street in Dublin. He studied with his father and with the composer Tomasso Giordiani (c1730-1806). In 1797 he was put in charge of the orchestra of the Crow Street Theatre, and he was its leader until 1812. He married the actress and singer Fanny Howells (c.1785-1824) in 1805 and their son Henry Cooke (1808-1889) became a musician. He collaborated with Sydney Owenson (Lady Morgan) on the music for the operaa "The Whim of the Moment" that was staged on 5 March 1807 at the Theatre Royal in Dublin. Also in 1807, he led the orchestra when the famous soprano Angelica Catalani gave her first performance in Dublin. She became friendly with him and his family. In 1813 he performed as a tenor the part of Saraskier in Stephen Storace's "The Siege of Belgrade". He performed the same role in London at the English Opera house and decided to stay there. On 15 September he performed at Drury Lane and he continued to sing there for twenty years. As a composer he created orchestral overtures, songs, and a comical opera. He also worked as singing teacher and his pupils included Elizabeth Rainforth (1814-1877), John Templeton (1802-1886), and Margaretta Graddon (b.1804). Cooke died in 1848 in London. Related persons • cooperated with Morgan, Sydney, Lady |
| Images |
 The grave of Thomas Simpson Cooke at Kensal Green Cemetery, Kensal Green, London. Picture by Androom (18 Apr 2024) |
Sources • Thomas Simpson Cooke - Wikipedia (EN) |
