The British Musical Biography

[E] O'Leary, Arthur, composer and pianist,
born at Tralee, County Kerry, Ireland, March
15, 1834. He came of a musical family, his
grandfather having been a teacher of music,
his father (died, 1846), organist of the parish
church, Tralee, and his uncle (died, 1893, aged
100 or 102), organist of Killarney Cathedral.
When quite a child, Arthur O'Leary's playing
attracted the attention of Mr. Wyndham
Goold, and through his friendship the boy
was sent to the Conservatorium, Leipzig, in
1847, and studied under Plaidy, Moscheles,
Richter, etc. Returning to England, he
entered the R.A.M., 1852, and studied under
Potter and Bennett. Several compositions
from his pen date from his student days. In
1856, he was appointed a professor at the
R.A.M., and, later, elected a Fellow. Com-
menced concert giving about 1858. He has
lectured on music, and contributed to the
musical press ; and held appointments at the
National Training School for Music, 1876 ;
Guildhall School, from its opening ; and at
the Crystal Palace School of Science and Art,
1886, etc. Member of the Philharmonic So-
ciety. Edited Sterndale Bennett's Pf. works.
In 1860 he married Miss Rosetta Vinning,
noticed below.

[W] Works. — Overture and incidental music to
Longfellow's Spanish Student (1854) ; Sym-
phony in C ; Suite, orchestra. Concerto, pf.
and orchestra. Theme in C, with variations;
Toccata in P, performed at the Monday
Popular Concerts, December 14, 1885 ; Way-
side sketches ; and many other pieces for pf .
Six songs : Ask not why I love ; and others.
Mass of St. John (unison) ; Ode to the Victor,
part-song. Edited Masses by Hummel,
Sechter, and Schubert.

[+] Mrs. O'Leary, daughter of W. S. Vinning,
of Newton Abbott, Devon, showed remark-
able talent as a child, singing and playing at
concerts when seven. Entered the R.A.M.,
and won a King's Scholarship, December,
1851, and again in 1853. Studied under John
Thomas, harp ; W. H. Holmes, pf. ; and
Steggall and G. A. Macfarreu, composition.
She is a Fellow of the R.A.M., and Associate
of the Philharmonic Society. She now de-
votes chiefly to voice training, and for some
years conducted the South Kensington Ladies'
Choir. Her compositions include, I am the
Angel ; My Song is Love ; How faithful are
thy branches ; My Angel Lassie ; and other
songs.

entry id: 302-R-21