The British Musical Biography

[E] Levey, William Charles, composer and
conductor, born in Dublin, April 25, 1837.
Studied under his father (noticed below), and
from 1852, in Paris, under Auber, Thalberg,
and Prudent. While there he was elected a
member of the Societe des Auteurs et Com-
positeurs. On his return to London he held
positions as conductor at Covent Garden ;
Drury Lane, 1868-74 ; and again, later ; Hay-
market, Princess's, and Adelphi, etc. He died
in London, August 18, 1894.

[W] Works. — Operas, etc. : Fanchette, Covent
Garden, January 4, 1864 ; Claude ; Nazarille ;
Punchinello, Her Majesty's, December 28,
1864 ; Fashion ; Wanted a Parlour Maid ;
Music to Antony and Cleopatra ; Amy Rob-
sart ; Rebecca ; King o' Scots ; Lady of the
Lake ; Esmeralda ; Jack in the Box, etc.
Music to various pantomimes. Cantatas :

[+] The Man of War ; Robin Hood (for boys voices);
The Hide to Ware (humorous). Many songs:
Esmeralda ; Here stands a post ; Unfading
beauty ; King and the beggar maid ; Maritana,
gay Gitana ; Lullaby, etc. Pieces for pf., etc.
Irish overture for orchestra.

[+] His fatlier, Richard Michael Levey, born
in Dublin, October 2, 1811, violinist, was
apprenticed to James Barton, leader at the
Theatre Royal, Dublin, in 1826. In 1830 he
succeeded to the post, and was afterwards
musical director. On his fiftieth anniversary
of office he received a handsome testimonial.
As a violinist he was well known at the
Crystal Palace Handel Festivals, etc. He was
also professor of the violin at the Royal Irish
Academy of Music, and is still living. The
violinist known as " Paganini Redivivus " is
his son, Richard M. Levey. He first
appeared in Paris, in 1850, and was for some
time principal violin at Muzard's Concerts at
the Hotel d' Osmond. Then he came to
London, and at the Royal Polytechnic Insti-
tution, gave a weird impersonation entitled
" Paganini's Ghost." He has given recitals
in the provinces and on the continent, but no
particulars are available concerning his bio-
graphy.

entry id: 245-R-45