The British Musical Biography

[E] Moorehead, John, Irish violinist and
composer, who was born about the middle of
the 18th century. He was a violinist at the
Worcester Festival of 1794, and afterwards
played the viola in the orchestra of Sadler's
Wells Theatre, London. In 1798 he was
violinist at Co vent Garden Theatre, and com-
posed music for Sadler's Wells, Covent Garden,
and other theatres. About 1802 he became
insane, and was confined in Northamptoii
House, Clerkenwell. Afterwards he was in
the navy for a short time, but in March, 1804,
he hanged himself near Deal in a fit of
insanity.

[W] Works. — Music to Plays : Philosopher's
stone, 1795 ; Birds of a feather, 1796 ; Naval
Pillar, 1799; Volcano, 1799 ; Speed the plough,
1799; II BoiKlocani (with Attwood), 1801;
Perouse (with Davy), 1801 ; Cabinet (with
Davy), 1802; Family quarrels, 1802; Har-
lequin Habeas, 1802. Songs : Absence ; Ben
and Mary ; Gallant Forty-second ; Traveller's
jovs ; Troubadour, etc. Duo concertante for
violin (1800), etc.

[+] His brother, Alexander, was a violinist,
and for a time acted as leader at Sadler's
Wells Theatre. He died in a lunatic asylum
at Liverpool, in 1803.

entry id: 288-L-32