The British Musical Biography

[E] Allen, George Benjamin, composer and
vocalist, born in London, April 21, 1822.
Chorister, St. Martin-in-the-fields, 1830 ; the
same in Westminster Abbey, 1832. Estab-
lished the " Abbey Glee Club," in 1841, and
two years later was appointed to the choir of
Armagh Cathedral as a bass. Conductor of
Classical Harmonists' Society, Belfast, and
originated and executed the scheme for build-
ing the Ulster Hall, Belfast. Graduated as
Mus. Bac, Oxon., in 1852. Left Armagh, and
became organist at All Saints', Kensington,
and later went to Australia, where he was
organist at Toorak, Melbourne, and conductor
of Lyster's Opera Company. Returning to
England, he established a Comedy Opera
Company, and produced the Gilbert and Sul-
livan operas, "The Sorcerer," " H.M.S. Pina-
fore," and " The Pirates of Penzance." He
had previously made successful tours with
his pupil. Miss Alice May (died U.S.A., 1887),
in Australia, New Zealand, and India, his
opera company being admirably organised

[+] Since 1890 he has been settled in Brisbane,
New S. Wales

[W] Works. - Operas - Castle Grim, two acts,
London, 1865. The Viking, five acts. The
Wicklow rose, Manchester, 1882. Fayette
(J. Brunton Stephens), not yet (1895) pro-
duced; and others in MS. Cantatas— Harvest
home, 1863; The Vintage of the Rhine, 1865;
Ministering (female voices,) 1884. Te Deums
in D and F. Introits and Anthems — A book
of fifteen anthems, 1853, and eight others.
Concerted vocal music — Six four-part songs
[1861] ; Morning; May; and others. Songs —
A Shadow ; The arrow and the song ; and set-
tings of many of Longfellow's lyrics, the total
amounting to about 300. Pianoforte and organ
music. The Scales in music and colours —
their analogy ; from the Musical World. New
pianoforte school. London [1884].

entry id: 7-L-41