George Henschel

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Sir George Henschel (Isidor Georg Henschel) (1850 - 1934), English musician (naturalized 1890) was born at Breslau of Polish-Jewish parentage, and educated as a pianist, making his first public appearance in Berlin in 1862.

He subsequently, however, took up singing, having developed a fine baritone voice; and in 1868 he sang the part of Hans Sachs in Meistersinger at Munich. In 1877 he began a successful career in England, singing at the principal concerts and in 1881 he married the American soprano, Lilian Bailey (18601901), who was associated with him in a number of vocal recitals.

Sir George was also prominent as a conductor, starting the London Symphony concerts in 1886, and both in England and America (where he was the first conductor of the Boston Symphony concerts, 1881) he took a leading part in advancing his art. He composed a number of instrumental works, a fine Stabat Mater (Birmingham festival, 1894), etc., and an opera, Nubia (Dresden, 1899).

He was the father of Georgina Henschel (Georgie), the noted breeder of Highland ponies and Icelandic ponies, and author of several equestrian books.

Preceded by
none
Musical Directors, Boston Symphony Orchestra
1881–1884
Succeeded by
Wilhelm Gericke

[edit] References

This article incorporates text from the Encyclopædia Britannica Eleventh Edition, a publication now in the public domain. The article can be found here: [1]

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