The British Musical Biography

[E] Ridding, John A., baritone vocalist,
born in Birmingham, December 5, 1862.
Intended for a schoolmaster,he served as a pupil
teacher at St. Mark's School, Birmingham,
afterwards studying at St. Paul's Training
School, Cheltenham. Having a voice that
promised well, he became a candidate for
admission to the Royal College of Music, and
was one of the fifty scholars elected in April,
1883. He distinguished himself at the College
concerts, and in March, 1887, joined Mr. J.
W. Turner's Opera Company, of which he
still remains a member. His repertory includes
upwards of thirty operas, and the versatility
of his talent is displayed in such widely
differing impersonations as those of Mej^his-
topheles, (Faust), Lord Allcash (Fra Diavolo),
and Alfio (Cavalleria Rusticana). Mr. Ridd-
ing is occasionally heard in oratorio, and
genera] concert work in Birmingham and
elsewhere.

entry id: 344-L-51