A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Bellamy, Richard

by William H. Husk

BELLAMY, Richard, Mus. Bac. Cantab., bass singer, was on March 28, 1771, appointed a gentleman of the Chapel Royal, and on January 1, 1773, a lay-vicar of Westminster Abbey. He also held the appointment of vicar choral and master of the choristers of St. Paul's Cathedral. In 1788 he published a volume containing a Te Deum for a full orchestra (performed at the installation of Knights of the Bath in May of that year), and a set of anthems. He died Sept. 11, 1813. His son, Thomas Ludford Bellamy, was born in Westminster in 1770. He was educated in the choir of Westminster Abbey under Dr. Cooke, and after the change of his voice to a bass studied under Tasca, the celebrated bass singer. He sang in London in the cathedral choirs and at concerts until 1794, when he went to Ireland as agent on a nobleman's estate, but having to give up that employment he went to Dublin, where in 1797 he became stage manager at the theatre. In 1800 he became part proprietor of the Manchester, Chester, Shrewsbury, and Lichfield theatres. In 1803 he sold his share and became sole proprietor of the Belfast, Londonderry, and Newry theatres. This speculation proving unsuccessful he returned to London, and sang at Covent Garden Theatre for five years. In 1812 he was engaged for five years at Drury Lane. During all this period he also appeared as a concert singer. In 1819 he was appointed choir-master at the chapel of the Spanish Embassy, which he retained for many years. In 1821, on the death of Bartleman, he was engaged as principal bass singer at the Concert of Ancient Music, and so continued until, a few years later, he was superseded by Henry Phillips. In 1840 he edited a volume of the poetry of glees, madrigals, catches, rounds, canons, and duets. He died in Judd Street, Brunswick Square, January 3, 1843, in his seventy-third year.

[ W. H. H. ]