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Alfred James Caldicott ( 26 November 1842 – 24 October 1897) was an English musician and composer of operas, cantatas, children's songs, humorous songs and glees.

Early life and education

He was born in Worcester, the eldest son of William Caldicott, a hop merchant and amateur musician. At the age of nine he became a choirboy in Worcester Cathedral, where several of his brothers and half-brothers subsequently also sang. He rose to be the leading boy treble, and, while taking part in the Three Choirs Festival, formed the ambition to conduct an oratorio of his own in the cathedral. At the age of fourteen his voice broke, and he was articled to William Done, the cathedral organist. He remained at Worcester, acting as assistant to Done until 1863, when he entered the Leipzig Conservatory to complete his studies.

Career

In 1865 Caldicott returned to Worcester and became organist at St. Stephen's Church and honorary organist to the municipal corporation.

In 1878 his humorous glee "Humpty Dumpty" was awarded a special prize at a competition instituted by the Manchester Glee Society. In 1879 his serious glee "Winter Days" won the prize offered by the Huddersfield Glee and Madrigal Union. He was then commissioned to compose an oratorio for the Worcester festival. He chose the story of the Widow of Nain as subject, wrote both libretto and music himself, and on 12 September 1881 realised his boyhood dream by conducting his oratorio in the cathedral.

In 1882 Caldicott left Worcester for Torquay, but a few months later settled in London. He then began to compose operettas for Thomas German Reed performed at St. George's Hall, London, the first being Treasure Trove, performed in 1883. Reed produced twelve others, including A Moss Rose Rent, 1883; Old Knockles, 1884; In Cupid's Court, 1885; A United Pair, 1886; The Bosun's Mate, 1888; The Friar; Wanted an Heir; In Possession; Brittany Folk; Tally Ho! (1890).^[1] When the Albert Palace in Battersea Park was opened with ambitious intentions a full orchestra was engaged, and Caldicott was appointed conductor. He composed a dedication ode for the opening on 6 June 1885, but very soon resigned. He afterwards conducted at the Prince of Wales's Theatre, where two operettas, All Abroad and John Smith, commissioned by Carl Rosa, were performed in 1889–90. He went to the United States in 1890 as conductor to Agnes Huntingdon's light opera company. After his return to England he was appointed a professor at the Royal College of Music and the Guildhall School of Music. In 1892 he resigned these posts on being appointed principal of a private teaching establishment styled the London College of Music. He also became conductor at the Comedy Theatre in 1893.

Incessant work overtaxed his strength, and in 1896 cerebral exhaustion gradually developed. His last composition was a part song, "The Angel Sowers", composed for J. S. Curwen's Choral Handbook (1885). He died at Barnwood House Hospital, near Gloucester, on 24 October 1897.

Personal life

Caldicott married Maria Turner (Mayne),^[2] niece of Sir Richard Mayne, and a soprano singer. They had three sons and a daughter.

Notes

1. ^Scowcroft, Phil. A Forty-sixth Garland of British Light Music Composers", MusicWeb-International.com, accessed 7 February 2016
2. ^{{cite web|last1=Adams|first1=Richard W.|title=Alfred James Caldicott|url=http://www.hymntime.com/tch/bio/c/a/l/caldicott_aj.htm|website=The Cyber Hymnal|accessdate=7 February 2016}}

References

External Links

[https://caldicott.one-name.net/2017/09/16/alfred-james-caldicott-1842-1897-famous-composer/ Alfred James Caldicott 1842-1897 - Famous Composer - Caldicott One-Name Study]