The British Musical Biography

[E] Pierpoint, Bantock, baritone vocalist,
born at Runcorn, Cheshire, August 8, 1856.
Sang in Prescot Parish Church when a boy.
Was organist for some time at the Indeijend-
ent Chapel, Runcorn, and sang at concerts as
an amateur tenor, being occupied in business.
His first vocal instructor was Mr. W. I. Argent,
of Liverpool, and he afterwards studied at the
R.A.M., and Guildhall School of j\Iusic, under
M. Visetti, eventually becoming a private
pupil of Mr. W. Shakespeare, his voice settling
to a baritone of exceptional compass. He
sang at various concerts in London, Birming-
ham, and other places, but his first great
opportunity was at a concert of the Sacred
Harmonic Society, December 8, 1887, when
(owing to the illness of Mr. Watkin Mills) he
took the part of Ltccifer- in the " Golden
Legend " at a few hours' notice. He first
sang at the Bristol Festival in 1890, in Parry's
"Judith," and has fulfilled engagements at
the Norwich, Chester, and Cheltenham Festi-
vals. He is a member of the Royal Society
of Musicians, and an Associate of the Phil-
harmonic Society.

[+] Joseph Pierpoint, no relation, was a tenor
singer, and a member of several English Opera
Companies. He died at Preston, June 17,
1887, aged forty.

entry id: 320-R-15