A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Reed, German

by George Grove

REED, Thomas German, born at Bristol June 27, 1817. His father was a musician, and the son first appeared, at the age of ten, at the Bath Concerts as a PF. player with John Loder and Lindley, and also sang at the Concerts and at the Bath Theatre. Shortly after, he appeared at the Haymarket Theatre, London, where his father was conductor, as PF. player, singer, and actor of juvenile parts. In 1832 the family moved to London, and the father became leader of the band at the Garrick Theatre. His son was his deputy, and also organist to the Catholic Chapel, Sloane Street. German Reed now entered eagerly into the musical life of London, was an early member of the Society of British Musicians, studied hard at harmony, counterpoint, and PF. playing, composed much, gave many lessons, and took part in all the good music he met with. His work at the theatre consisted in great measure of scoring and adapting, and getting up new operas, such as 'Fra Diavolo' in 1837. In 1838 he became Musical Director of the Haymarket Theatre, a post which he retained till 1851. In 1838 he also succeeded Mr. Tom Cooke as Chapelmaster at the Royal Bavarian Chapel, where the music to the Mass was for long noted both for quality and execution. Beethoven's Mass in C was produced there for the first time in England, and the principal Italian singers habitually took part in the Sunday services. At the Haymarket, for the Shakespearian performances of Macready, the Keans, the Cushmans, etc., he made many excellent innovations, by introducing, as overtures and entractes, good pieces, original or scored by himself, instead of the rubbish usually played at that date. During the temporary closing of the theatre Reed did the work of producing Pacini's opera of 'Sappho' at Drury Lane (April 1, 1843—Clara Novello, Sims Reeves, etc.). In 1844 he married Miss Priscilla Horton, and for the next few years pursued the same busy, useful, miscellaneous life as before, directing the production of English opera at the Surrey, managing Sadler's Wells during a season of English opera, with his wife, Miss Louisa Pyne, Harrison, etc., conducting the music at the Olympic under Mr.Wigan's management, and making prolonged provincial tours.

In 1855 he started a new class of performance which, under the name of 'Mr. and Mrs. Germans Reed's Entertainment,' has made his name widely and favourably known in England. Its object was to provide good dramatic amusement for a large class of society who, on various grounds, objected to the theatres. It was opened at St. Martin's Hall, April 2, 1855, as 'Miss P. Horton's Illustrative Gatherings,' with two pieces called 'Holly Lodge' and 'The Enraged Musician' (after Hogarth), written by W. Brough, and presented by Mrs. Reed, with the aid of her husband only, as accompanyist and occasional actor. In Feb. 1856 they removed to the Gallery of Illustration, Regent Street, and there produced 'A Month from Home,' and 'My Unfinished Opera' (April 27, 57); 'The Home Circuit' and 'Seaside Studies' (June 20, 59) all by W. Brough; 'After the Ball,' by Edmund Yates; 'Our Card Basket,' by Shirley Brooks; 'An Illustration on Discord' ('The Rival Composers') by Brough (Ap. 3, 61); and 'The Family Legend,' by Tom Taylor (Mar. 31, 62). They then engaged Mr. John Parry, and produced the following series of pieces specially written for this company of three, and including some of Mr. Parry's most popular and admirable songs, in the characters of Paterfamilias at the Pantomime, Mrs. Roseleaf, etc., etc.

The Charming Cottage,' Ap. 6, 1863.
'The Pyramid.' Shirley Brooks. Feb. 7, 64.
'The Bard and his Birthday,' W. Brough. Ap. 20, 64.
'The Peculiar family,' Do. Mar. 15, 65.
'The Yachting Cruise,' F. C. Burnand. Ap. 2, 66.
'A Dream in Venice,' T. W. Robertson. Mar. 18, 67.
'Our Quiet Chateau,' R. Reece. Dec. 26, 67.
'Inquire within,' F. C. Burnand. July 22, 68.
'Last of the Paladins,' R. Reece. Dec. 23, 68.

At this period the company was further increased by the addition of Miss Fanny Holland and Mr. Arthur Cecil, and soon after by Mr. Corney Grain and Mr. Alfred Reed. The following was the repertoire during this last period:—

'Lischen and Fritschen,' Offenbach. Feb. 8, 59.
'No Cards.' W. S. Gilbert, and 'Cox and Box.' Burnand and Sullivan. Mar. 29, 69. (A. Cecil's 1st appearance.)
'Ages Ago,' W. S. Gilbert and F. Clay. Nov. 22, 69.
'Beggar my Neighbour,' F. C. Burnand. Mar. 28, 70.
'Our Island Home,' W. S. Gilbert. June 20, 70.
'The Bold Recruit,' F. Clay. July 19, 70.
'A Sensation Novel,' Do. Jan. 30, 71.
'Near Relations,' Arthur Sketchley. Aug. 14, 71.
'King Christmas,' Planché. Dec. 26, 71.
'Charity begins at Home,' B. Rowe and Cellier. Feb. 7, 72.
'My Aunt's Secret,' Burnand and Molloy. Mar. 3, 72.
'Happy Arcadia,' W. S. Gilbert and F. Clay. Oct. 28, 72.
'Very Catching,' Burnand and Molloy. Nov. 18, 72.
'Mildred's Well,' Burnand and German Reed. May 5, 73.

When the lease of the Gallery of Illustration expired, the entertainment was transferred to St. George's Hall, and there the following entertainments were produced:—

'He's Coming,' F. C. Burnand and German Reed.
'Too Many by One,' F. C. Burnand and F. Cowan.
'The Three Tenants'; 'Ancient Britons.' Gilbert a Beckett and German Reed.
'A Tale of Old China,' F. C. Burnand and Molloy.
'Eyes and no Eyes,' W. S. Gilbert and German Reed.
'A Spanish Bond'; 'An Indian Puzzle'; 'The Wicked Duke,' Gilbert a Beckett and German Reed.
'Matched and Match,' F. C. Burnand and German Reed.
'A Puff of Smoke,' C. J. Rowe and Mme. Goetz.
'Our Dolls' House,' C. J. Rowe and Cotsford Dick.
'A Night's Surprise,' West Cromer and German Reed.
'Foster Brothers,' F. C. Burnand and King Hall.
'Happy Bungalow.' A. Law.

During the Galley of Illustration period a diversion was made by the introduction of 'Opere di Camera,' for four characters. These comprised:—

'Jessy Lea,' Oxenford and MacEarren.
'Too Many Cooks,' Offenbach.
'The Sleeping Beauty,' Balfe.
'The Soldier's Legacy,' Oxenford and Macfarren.
'Widows bewitched.' Virginia Gabriel.
'A Fair Exchange'; 'A Happy Result'; 'Ching Chow Hi,' All three by Offenbach.

While the entertainment still remained at the Gallery of Illustration, Reed became lessee of St. George's Hall for the production of Comic Opera. He engaged an orchestra of 40 and a strong chorus, and 'The Contrabandista' (Burnand and Sullivan), 'L'Ambassadrice' (Auber), 'Ching Chow Hi' and the 'Beggar's Opera' were produced, but without the necessary success. Mr. Reed then gave his sole attention to the Gallery of Illustration, in which he has been uniformly successful, owing to the fact that he has carried out his entertainments, not only with perfect respectability, but always with great talent, much tact and judgment, and constant variety. [App. p.769 "date of death, March 21, 1888."]

His brothers, Robert Hopké and William, are violoncello players; Robert has been Principal Cello in the Crystal Palace Band for many years.

Mrs. German Reed, née Priscilla Horton, was born at Birmingham, Jan. 1, 1818. From a very early age she showed unmistakable qualifications for a theatrical career, in a fine strong voice, great musical ability, and extraordinary power of mimicry. She made her first appearance at the age of ten, at the Surrey Theatre, under Elliston's management, as the Gipsy Girl in 'Guy Mannering.' After this she was constantly engaged at the principal metropolitan theatres in a very wide range of parts. Her rare combination of great ability as a singer, with conspicuous gifts as an actress, and most attractive appearance, led to a very satisfactory step in her career. On Aug. 16, 1837, she signed an agreement with Mr. Macready for his famous performances at Covent Garden and Drury Lane, in which she acted Ariel, Ophelia, the Fool^[1] in 'Lear,' the Attendant Spirit in 'Comus,' Philidel in 'King Arthur,' and Acis in 'Acis and Galatea.' After the conclusion of this memorable engagement, Miss Horton became the leading spirit in Planché's graceful burlesques at the Haymarket Theatre. On Jan. 20, 1844, she married Mr. German Reed, and the rest of her career has been related under his name.

[ G. ]

[App. p.769 "add to list of pieces produced at St. George's Hall, under the management of Mr. Corney Grain and Mr. Alfred Reed:—

'No. 204.' F. C. Burnand and German Reed.
'Once in a century,' G. A'Beckett and Vivian Bligh.
'Our new Dolls' House,' W. Yardley and Cotsford Dick.
'Answer Paid,' F. C. Burnand and W. Austin.
'Doubleday's Will,' Burnand and King Hall.
'Artful Automaton,' Arthur Law and King Hall.
'A Tremendous Mystery,' F. C. Burnand and King Hall.
'Enchantment,' A. Law and German Reed.
'Grimstone Grange.' G. A'Beckett and King Hall.
'100l. Reward,' A. Law and Corney Grain.
'Back from India,' Pottinger Stevens and Cotsford Dick.
'The Pirates' Home,' G. A'Beckett and Vivian Bligh.
'A Christmas Stocking,' G. A'Beckett and King Hall.
'Castle Botherem,' A. Law and Hamilton Clarke.
'The Three Hats,' A. A'Beckett and Edouard Marlois.
'A Flying Visit,' A. Law and Corney Grain.
'The Turquoise Ring,' G. W Godfrey and Lionel Benson.
'A Merry Christmas,' A. Law and King Hall
'Sandford and Merton,' Burnand and A. S. Gatty.
'All at Sea,' A. Law and Corney Grain.
'Many Happy Returns,' G. A'Beckett and Lionel Benson.
'A Bright Idea,' A. Law and Arthur Cecil.
'Cherry Tree Farm,' A. Law and Hamilton Clarke.
'The Head of the Poll,' A. Law and Eaton Faning.
'Nobody's Fault,' A. Law and Hamilton Clarke.
'A Strange Host,' A. Law and King Hall.
'That Dreadful Boy,' G. A'Beckett and Corney Grain.
'A Mountain Heiress,' G. A'Beckett and Lionel Benson.
'Treasure Trove,' A. Law and A. J. Caldicott.
'A Water Cure,' A. Law, Arnold Felix, and George Gear.
'A Moss Rose Rent,' A. Law and A. J. Caldicott.
'A Double Event,' A. Law, Alfred Reed, and Corney Grain.
'Fairly Puzzled,' Oliver Brand and Hamilton Clarke.
'A Terrible Fright,' A. Law and Corney Grain.
'Old Knockles,' A. Law and A. J. Caldicott.
'A Peculiar Case,' A. Law and G. Grossmith.
'Hobbies,' Stephens, Yardley. and G. Gear.
'A Pretty Bequest,' M. Watson and Hamilton Clarke.
'A Night in Wales,' H. Gardner and Corney Grain.
'In Cupid's Court,' M. Watson and A. J. Caldicott.
'A United Pair,' Comyns Carr and A. J. Caldicott.
'The Friar,' Do.
'The Naturalist,' Comyns Carr and King Hall.
'Tally-Ho!' M. Watson and A. J. Caldicott.
'Wanted an Heir,' Do.
'The Bo'sun's Mate,' W. Browne and A. J. Caldicott.
'Brittany Folk,' Walter Frith and A. J. Caldicott.

For some years the 'Musical Sketches' of Mr. Corney Grain have been the principal attractions of the entertainment. Upwards of 50 of these have been given, the 50th coinciding with Her Majesty's Jubilee, and treating of topics connected with that event.

[ M. ]

"

1. See Macready's Reminiscences, by Sir F. Pollock. ii. 97.