Augustus Glossop Harris
Encyclopedia
Augustus Frederick Glossop Harris (5 June 1825 – 19 April 1873) was a British actor
and theatre
manager.
Born in Naples, Italy, in 1825 he was the son of Joseph Glossop, first manager of the Royal Coburg Theatre (now known as the Victoria Theatre or the Old Vic
), and opera singer Mme Féron (aka Fearon), a former prima donna assoluta
at La Scala
in Milan
.
His early career saw limited success as a comedian in London and Augustus Glossop was imprisoned for bankruptcy in June 1848. By 1851 he had adopted the name Augustus Harris.
He became a leading manager of opera and ballet, notably at Covent Garden
, London
, but also in Paris
, Berlin
and St. Petersburg. He wrote the libretto, with Edmund Falconer
, for the opera The Rose of Castille
; with music by Michael William Balfe
, it was produced on Broadway in 1867. In the last four years of his life, he put on Christmas spectacles at Covent Garden
.
He married Maria Ann Bone on 17 February 1846. He died in 1873 and is buried in Brompton Cemetery
, London.
Actor
An actor is a person who acts in a dramatic production and who works in film, television, theatre, or radio in that capacity...
and theatre
Theatre
Theatre is a collaborative form of fine art that uses live performers to present the experience of a real or imagined event before a live audience in a specific place. The performers may communicate this experience to the audience through combinations of gesture, speech, song, music or dance...
manager.
Born in Naples, Italy, in 1825 he was the son of Joseph Glossop, first manager of the Royal Coburg Theatre (now known as the Victoria Theatre or the Old Vic
Old Vic
The Old Vic is a theatre located just south-east of Waterloo Station in London on the corner of The Cut and Waterloo Road. Established in 1818 as the Royal Coburg Theatre, it was taken over by Emma Cons in 1880 when it was known formally as the Royal Victoria Hall. In 1898, a niece of Cons, Lilian...
), and opera singer Mme Féron (aka Fearon), a former prima donna assoluta
Prima donna
Originally used in opera or Commedia dell'arte companies, "prima donna" is Italian for "first lady." The term was used to designate the leading female singer in the opera company, the person to whom the prime roles would be given. The prima donna was normally, but not necessarily, a soprano...
at La Scala
La Scala
La Scala , is a world renowned opera house in Milan, Italy. The theatre was inaugurated on 3 August 1778 and was originally known as the New Royal-Ducal Theatre at La Scala...
in Milan
Milan
Milan is the second-largest city in Italy and the capital city of the region of Lombardy and of the province of Milan. The city proper has a population of about 1.3 million, while its urban area, roughly coinciding with its administrative province and the bordering Province of Monza and Brianza ,...
.
His early career saw limited success as a comedian in London and Augustus Glossop was imprisoned for bankruptcy in June 1848. By 1851 he had adopted the name Augustus Harris.
He became a leading manager of opera and ballet, notably at Covent Garden
Covent Garden
Covent Garden is a district in London on the eastern fringes of the West End, between St. Martin's Lane and Drury Lane. It is associated with the former fruit and vegetable market in the central square, now a popular shopping and tourist site, and the Royal Opera House, which is also known as...
, London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, but also in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
, Berlin
Berlin
Berlin is the capital city of Germany and is one of the 16 states of Germany. With a population of 3.45 million people, Berlin is Germany's largest city. It is the second most populous city proper and the seventh most populous urban area in the European Union...
and St. Petersburg. He wrote the libretto, with Edmund Falconer
Edmund Falconer
Edmund Falconer , also known as Edmund O'Rourke, was an Irish-born 19th century poet, actor, theatre manager, songwriter and playwright, known for his keen wit and outstanding acting skills.-Early life:...
, for the opera The Rose of Castille
The Rose of Castille
The Rose of Castille is an opera in three acts, with music by Michael William Balfe to an English-language libretto by Augustus Glossop Harris and Edmund Falconer, after the libretto by Adolphe d'Ennery and Clairville for Adolphe Adam's Le muletier de Tolède...
; with music by Michael William Balfe
Michael William Balfe
Michael William Balfe was an Irish composer, best-remembered for his opera The Bohemian Girl.After a short career as a violinist, Balfe pursued an operatic singing career, while he began to compose. In a career spanning more than 40 years, he composed 38 operas, almost 250 songs and other works...
, it was produced on Broadway in 1867. In the last four years of his life, he put on Christmas spectacles at Covent Garden
Covent Garden
Covent Garden is a district in London on the eastern fringes of the West End, between St. Martin's Lane and Drury Lane. It is associated with the former fruit and vegetable market in the central square, now a popular shopping and tourist site, and the Royal Opera House, which is also known as...
.
He married Maria Ann Bone on 17 February 1846. He died in 1873 and is buried in Brompton Cemetery
Brompton Cemetery
Brompton Cemetery is located near Earl's Court in South West London, England . It is managed by The Royal Parks and is one of the Magnificent Seven...
, London.
Works
- Gossip (with Thomas J. Williams, 1859)
- My son Diana (1857)
- A very serious affair (1857)
- Ruthven (1859)
- The avalanche; or; The trials of the heart (1854)
- Too much of a good thing (1855)
- Tom Thrasher (1868)
- Doing the hansom (1856)
- The little treasure (1855)
- The little treasure (1880)
- Satanella, comic opera (1863)
- Too much of a good thing! (1855)