A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Bland, Maria

by William H. Husk

BLAND, Maria Thersa, born of Italian Jewish parents named Romanzini in 1769, made her first appearance in public in 1773 at Hughes's Riding School, and at a more advanced age appeared as a singer on the opening of the Royal Circus (afterwards Surrey Theatre), Nov. 7, 1782, in a pantomime called ' Mandarina, or, The Refusal of Harlequin.' She was very favourably received, and was next engaged at the Dublin Theatre, where she became an established favourite. On Oct. 24, 1786, she appeared at Drury Lane as Antonio in General Burgoyne's version of Grétry's 'Richard,' with complete success. She remained attached to the Drury Lane company for nearly forty years. In the summer of 1789 she visited Liverpool, where she performed both at the theatre and at concerts. On Oct. 21, 1790, she was married to Bland, the brother of Mrs. Jordan, the celebrated actress. She sang at the Haymarket in 1791 in Arnold's 'Inkle and Yarico.' She for many years sang at Vauxhall, where her popularity was unbounded. In 1812 she received a salary of £250 for the summer season; a considerable sum at that period. She excelled as a ballad singer, for which the beauty of her voice, simplicity of manner, and neatness of execution eminently qualified her. Having begun to show symptoms of mental weakness, she retired from public life in 1824, taking a benefit at Drury Lane, July 5, when a list of donations was printed in the play-bill. She was attacked by apoplexy at the house of a friend, and died Jan 15, 1838. Mrs. Bland had two sons, both singers. Charles, a tenor, appeared at Covent Garden as Oberon in Weber's opera of that name, on its production, April 12, 1826. His success however was but moderate and he was not engaged after that season. He subsequently appeared in the provinces, and in 1831 was singing at the Manchester Theatre. He then returned to London, and in 1831–2 appeared at the Olympic, and in 1833 and 1834 at Astley's. No traces of his subsequent career have been found. His brother James, a bass, born 1798, appeared in 1826 at the English Opera House (Lyceum) in Winter's 'Oracle.' He was afterwards engaged at Drury Lane. In 1831 he appeared at the Olympic as an actor and singer in burlesque with such success that he gradually abandoned serious singing and became the acknowledged representative of the kings and fathers in the extravaganzas of Planché and others. He died suddenly as he was about to enter upon the performance of his duties at the Strand Theatre, July 17, 1861.

[ W. H. H. ]