The British Musical Biography

[E] Barnby, Robert, alto singer, born in
York, 1821. The brother referred to in the
preceding notice. He was appointed a lay
vicar of Westminster Abbey about 1845, and
a Gentleman of the Chapel Royal in 1847, on
the death of Enoch Hawkins. These posi-
tions he retained until his death, June 1,
1875. Another member of the family was
Henry Barnby, born 1826, who was for
twenty-eight years a lay clerk of St. George's
Chapel, Windsor. He was considered one of
the finest basses of his time, his voice being
rich in quality, and of remarkable compass.
He sang at the Hereford Festivals, 1852 and
1855 ; at the Birmingham Festival Choral
Society's "Messiah" Concert, December 26,
1856 ; in the quartets in " Elijah," at the
Birmingham Festival, 1858 ; and was well
known as an oratorio singer. He died at
Slough, April 2, 1885. Sidney Barnby, alto,
was elected assistant Vicar Choral of St.
Paul's Cathedral, in 1873, a position he still
retains.

entry id: 27-R-10