The British Musical Biography

[E] O'Mara, Joseph, tenor vocalist, born in
Limerick, July 16, 1866, son of James O'Mara,
J. P., late High Sherrif! for Limerick City.
Educated at the Jesuit College there, and
was trained in the Tonic Sol-fa method of
singing. For some time was manager of his
father's business, and, for two years, sang in
the choir of Limerick Cathedral. In 1889
he gave up business, and went to Milan to
study singing under Perini, and Moretti. At
the end of 1890 he returned to England, and
was at once engaged for the Royal English
Opera House, where he appeared, February 4,
1891, in the title-part of " Ivanhoe." He
then took lessons from Edwin Holland. In
1892, he sang at the Monday Popular Con-
certs, and has since appeared at the principal
London and provincial concerts. Has been
in Sir Augustus Harris's Grand Opera at
Drury Lane, and Covent Garden, since 1893,
in a variety of characters, and created the
part of Hike Murphy in Stanford's " Shamus
O'Brien," produced March 2, 1896. He is
now in the front rank of opera singers.

entry id: 303-R-11