The British Musical Biography

[E] Maas, Joseph, tenor vocalist, born at
Dartford, Kent, Januarj' 30, 1847. Of Dutch
descent, his father, Joseph Maas, died Novem-
ber 6, 1888, being also a singer. Chorister in
Rochester Cathedral from 1856, studying un-
der J. L. Hopkins and later under Madame
Bodda-Pyne. When his voice broke he be-
came a clerk at Chatham dockyard. In 1869
he went to Milan, and studied under San-
giovanni. Made his debut at St. James's
Hall, February 9, 1871, at one of Henry
Leslie's concerts; sang in " Babil and Bijou"
at Covent Garden, September, 1872. He then
went to America and joined the Kellogg Opera
Company. Joined the Carl Rosa Company in
1878, remaining with it some years, and ap-
pearing in a variety of parts. First sang in
Italian Opera at Her Majesty's, May 15, 1880,
in "Faust " ; and took the part of Lohengrin
at Covent Garden, June 7, 1883. In the con-
cert room he speedily became popular ; and
was engaged at the Birmingham Festivals,
1879 (]\lessiah), to 1885 ; Gloucester and Leeds,
1880, etc. His last public appe ranee was at
Nottio'jham, December 31, 1885, and he died
in London, January 16, 1886. He was buried
at West Hampstead Cemetery. A monument
over his grave was unveiled February 20, 1887 ;
and a " Maas Memorial Prize" was instituted
the same year, for the encouragement of tenor
vocalists.

entry id: 257-L-36