A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Lucas, Charles

by William H. Husk

LUCAS, Charles, born at Salisbury, July 28, 1808, was a chorister in the cathedral under Arthur Thomas Corfe from 1815 to 1823, when he became a pupil of the Royal Academy of Music, and studied the violoncello under Lindley, and harmony and composition under Lord and Dr. Crotch. He remained there for 7 years. In 1830 he became a member of Queen Adelaide's private band, and composer and arranger of music for it, and soon afterwards music preceptor to Prince George (now Duke) of Cambridge and the Princes of Saxe Weimar. In 1832 he succeeded Cipriani Potter as conductor at the Royal Academy of Music. He also became a member of the opera and other orchestras as a violoncellist. In 1839 he was appointed organist of Hanover Chapel, Regent Street. He was for some time conductor of the Choral Harmonists' Society. On the retirement of Lindley he succeeded him as principal violoncello at the opera, the provincial festivals, etc. [App. p.706 "in 1840–3 he occasionally conducted at the Ancient Concerts."] From 1856 to June 30, 1865, he was a member of the music-publishing firm of Addison, Hollier, & Lucas. In 1859 he was appointed successor to Potter as Principal of the Royal Academy of Music, which office he held until July 1866, when ill health compelled him to relinquish it. His compositions include 'The Regicide,' opera, 3 symphonies, string quartets, anthems, songs, etc. He edited 'Esther' for the Handel Society. He died March 30, 1869. His son, Stanley Lucas, born 1834, was Secretary to Leslie's Choir from its formation to Oct. 1855; has been Secretary to the Royal Society of Musicians since 1861, and to the Philharmonic Society since 1866, and is otherwise much connected with music in London.

[ W. H. H. ]