The British Musical Biography

[E] Reeves, John Sims, tenor vocalist, born
at the Artillery Barracks, Woolwich, Septem-
ber 26, 1818 ; baptized in Woolwich Church,
October 25, 1818. His father, John Reeves,
was born at West Bromwich, Staffordshire.
He enlisted first in the ^Marines, and then in
the Royal Artillery. His superior musical
attainments brought him into notice, and he
became a corporal in the band. He is said to
have been a splendid bass singer, and a good
instrumentalist. He was discharged in 1843,
and died at Foots Cray, Kent, November 30,
1860. From his father young Reeves received
his first instruction, and when fourteen was
made organist of North Cray Church. During
the next few years he became a performer on
the violin, 'cello, oboe, and bassoon ; studied
harmony with W. H. Callcott, and pf. with
J. B. Cramer. His adult voice developing, he
decided on becoming a singer, and as a bari-
tone, made his debut as Count Rodolpho in
" La Sonnambula," at the Newcastle-on-
Tyne Theatre, June, 1839. The same year he
sang at the Grecian Theatre, Loudon, as Mr.

[+] Johnson. He then studied as a tenor, under
Hobbs, and T. Cooke, and appeared in minor
parts in " King Arthur," " Der Freischiltz,"
and other operas, at Drury Lane, 1842-3.
For further study he went to Paris, and had
lessons from Bordogni, and at Milan, from
Mazzucato. At La Scala, Milan, he appeared
in 1846, as Edgardo in " Lucia di Lammer-
moor," with Catherine Hayes in the title-
part. Reapi^eared at Drury Lane, December
6, 1847, in the same part, and achieved the
greatest success witnessed for many years.
Then for the first time called Mr. Sims
Reeves. On the 20th of the same month he
appeared in his first original part, as Lyonnel
in Balfe's " Maid of Honour," also at Drury
Lane. On May 20, 1848, he made his first
appearance in Italian opera, at Her Majesty's,
taking the part of Carlo in " Linda." His
operatic career extended over many years,
and he was equally great in works of all
kinds, down to the simple ballad-opera. He
sang in " Rob Roy," at Edinburgh, so late
as July, 1887. In oratorio he achieved a
great success at tlie Worcester and Norwich
Festivals of 1848, and at the Sacred Har-
monic Society's performance of the" Messiah,"
November 24, of that year He was engaged
for the Birmingham Festivals from 1849 to
1873, and it was for him that Costa wrote the
tenor parts in "Eli," and "Naaman." He
sang at the Crystal Palace Handel Festivals,
1857-74, his last festival performance being in
" Israel in Egypt," June 26, 1874. In the
concert room he reigned supreme, and was
nratchless in his rendering of the artistic
song, and the Dibdin ballad. From 1881 his
public appearances were less frequent ; and
in 1890 he commenced a farewell tour at
Sonthsea, in August; and gave his final con-
cert at the Albert Hall, May 11, 1891. lie
commenced teaching about this time, and
was on the staff of the Guildhall School of
Music. Reverses and misfortune compelled
a return to public life, and after singing at
Covent Garden Promenade Concerts, Queen's
Hall, and other places, 1893-5, he appeared
at the Empire Theatre, November 4, 1895,
and made a round of the provincial Variety
theatres during the winter following. Sailed
for South Africa, July 25, 1896, and had a
most successful tour, returning -in October.
In 1888 he published his " Life and Recol-
lections," London, Simpkin, Marshall.

[+] His wife, born Emma Lucombe, was tlie
daughter of Thomas Lucombe, a clever am-
ateur actor, who died February 13, 1855. She
was a pupil of Mrs. Biaue Hunt, and first
appeared at a concert of the Sacred Harmonic
Society, in Handel's "Josiiua," June 19,
1839 ; and sang in London and the provinces
up to 1845, when she went to study in Italy ;
sang in opera in Milan, and made her cUhut
on the English stage at Covent Garden, Nov-
ember 4, 1848, in the titular part of Auber's
"Haydee." Appeared at the Pliilharmonic.
concerts, April 16, 1849, singing a duet with
Sims Reeves, to whom she was married, at
North Cray Church, November 3, 1850. For
some time she continued to sing in public,,
and then gave her attention to teaching. She.
died at Upper Norwood, June 10, 1895, in
her 75th year. Herbert Sims Reeves, their
son, educated by his father, and at Milan,
made his dibut at W. Ganz's concert, St.
James's Hall, Juno 12, 1880; sang with suc-
cess at the Crystal Palace, February 12, 1881,
and in the provinces. Made his first appear--
ance on the stage at Brighton, in " Guy
Mannering," February 13, 1884. Has sung
in " The Waterman," and taken other parts
made famous by his father. He has also
sung in comic opera, " Palka," etc. He has
published one or two songs. His sister,
Constance Sims Reeves, made her debut on
the stage in " Guy Mannering," with her
brother, singing under the name of Miss-
Lester. She appeared at the Strand Theatre
in July, 1884; sang in "The Waterman" at
the Crystal Palace, 1892 ; and has been
heard at various concerts. Mr. Sims Reeves-
married again in 1895, his second wife, INIiss
Maud Rene, having been his pupil. She
sang with him at the Queen's Hall, Christmas
Day, 1895 ; accompanied him on his pro-
vincial tour, 1895-6.; and also on his visit to
Africa. Edwin Reeves, a brother, was a
member of the Seguin troujie in their Amer-
ican tour, 1848-9 ; and sometime professor of
singing at the V^iceregal Court, Dublin. He
died an Liverpool, in May, 1882.

entry id: 339-R-40