The British Musical Biography

[E] Santley, Charles, baritone vocalist, and
composer, son of William Santley (teacher
of pianoforte and singing at Liverpool ; died,
October 22, 1891), born at Liverpool, Feb-
ruary 28, 1834. Was a chorister at several
churches in Liverpool, and sang as an am-
ateur. Deciding upon his profession, he
gave a farewell concert at Liverpool, Septem-
ber 15, 1855, and the next month started for
Italy. He studied at Milan under (laetano
Nava, and returned to England in October,
1857. Had further lessons from Manuel
Garcia, and made his dtbut at St. Martin's
Hall, London, November 16, 1857, as Adam,
in Haydn's "Creation." His success vyas
immense, and every one was struck with his
magnificent voice. He sang in the "Mt ssiah"
at the same place, December 16. The next
year he sang for the Sacred Harmonic Society.
His first festival aiDpearance was at Leeds in
1858, and he sang there until 18!"i6, witli the
exception of the festival of 1880. With the
Norwich Festival he was identified from
1860; and he sang in "Elijah" at the Bir-
mingham Festivals from 1861 to 1891, 1867
excepted, when Weiss took the part of the
Prophet. He sang at the festivals of the
Three Choirs, from 1863 to 1894, with few
intermissions. In concerts throughout the
country he has long held the foremost
position as a baritone singer. He toured in
America in 1871 and 1891 ; and was in
Australia, 1889-90. At the Handel Festivals,
Crystal Palace, he has been frequently heard
from 1862 ; and he took part in the Jubilee
performance thereof Mendelssohn's" Elijah,"
June 27, 1896. His career in opera has been
almost as remarkable as in oratorio. He
was first heard on the English stage at
Covent Garden, October 1, 1859, as Hoel, in
Dinorah ; san',' at, the same house in Italian
opera, April 15, 1862, as the Count in " II
Trovatore," and took the same part at Her
Majesty's, May 31. Sang as Ford, at the
production of Nicolai's " Merry Wives of
Windsor," then entitled " Falstaff," at Her
Majesty's, May 3, 1864 ; appeared in a round
of characters at the same house. Sang in
" Zampa," at the Gaiety, 1870; and joined
the Carl Rosa Com any in 1875, taking the
title part in Mozart's " Figaro," at the
opening performance at the Princess' Theatre,
September 11, and also toured with the
Company, remaining with it for some years.
Mr. Santley has also gained some fame as a
composer. His principal work is a Mass in
A flat, for soli, chorus and orchestra (he
joined the Roman Church about 1880), pro-
duced at the Pro-Cathedral, Kensington,
December 25, 1892. He has also composed
an Offertorium, Ave Maria, and other church
music ; a berceuse for orchestra, performed
at Sydney, Australia, 1890; a madrigal, and
songs, some of which have been published
under the name of Ralph Betterton. He is
an Hon. R.A.M., and in 1887 was created by
Pope Leo XIII. , a Knight Commander of St.
Gregory the Great. In 1859, he married Miss
Gertrude Kemblk, a granddaughter of
Charles Kemble. She made her first appear-
ance as a soprano vocalist in the " Messiah,"
at St. Martin's Hall, December 16, 1857.
After her marriage she retired from public
life. She died, September 1, 1882. Edith
Santley, their daughter, a soprano, made
her stage deMit when very young in Cheru-
bini's " Water Carrier," at the Theatre Royal,
Birmingham, May 19, 1876. She sang at the
Philharmonic Concerts, May 11, 1882, and in
Birmingham, etc. She married, July 14,
1884, the Hon. R. H. Lyttelton, and now
resides in Warwickshire, but sings occasion-
ally at concerts for charitable purposes.

entry id: 363-L-3