A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Roseingrave, Daniel

by William Henry Husk

ROSEINGRAVE, or ROSINGRAVE, Daniel, was educated in the Chapel Royal under Pelham Humfrey. In 1693 he became organist of Salisbury Cathedral, which appointment he quitted in 1698 and was chosen organist and vicar-choral of St. Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin. He held these posts for 20 years, when he resigned them in favour of his son Ralph, who held them from April 1719 until his death in Oct. 1747.

Thomas, another son, received his early musical education from his father, and manifesting great aptitude, was allowed a pension by the Dean and Chapter of St. Patrick's to enable him to travel for improvement. He went to Italy in 1710, and at Rome was on friendly terms with the Scarlattis. In 1712 he composed, at Venice, an anthem, 'Arise, shine,' preserved in the Tudway collection (Harl. MS. 7342). In 1720 we find him in London, bringing out at the King's Theatre an adaptation of D. Scarlatti's opera 'Narcissus,' with additional songs composed by himself. In 1725 he was selected, from seven competitors, as the first organist of St. George's, Hanover Square, at a salary of £45 per annum; the judges were Drs. Croft and Pepusch, with Buononcini and Geminiani, each of whom gave a subject upon which the candidates were to make an extempore fugue. Some years afterwards, a disappointment in love so seriously affected Roseingrave's reason that he was compelled to desist from his duty, and from 1737 it was performed by Keeble, who received half the salary. Roseingrave died about 1750. He published 'Voluntaries and Fugues for the Organ or Harpsichord'; 'Italian Cantatas,' 2 books of 6 each; and 12 solos for the German flute; also a collection of '42 Suits of Lessons for the harpsichord composed by Sign. Domenico Scarlatti,' with an introduction by himself. He was an enthusiastic admirer of Palestrina, and hung his bedroom with pieces of paper containing extracts from his works.

[ W. H. H. ]