A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Thorndike, Herbert
THORNDIKE, Herbert Elliot. Was born April 7, 1851, at Liverpool, and educated at Woolwich Academy and Cambridge. As an undergraduate of the University he competed successfully at the Crystal Palace National Music meetings, and gained the first prize. He then went to Milan, to Francesco Lamperti, under whom he studied for four years. Since his return to England he has studied oratorio and English singing with Signor Randegger and Mr. Deacon. He made his first appearance in public March 26, 1878, at the Cambridge University Musical Society, and has since then been steadily rising in favour. His voice is a good full bass of unusual compass, and he sings with taste and intelligence. Mr. Thorndike has frequently sung at the concerts of the Bach Choir, the Popular Concerts, the Norwich Festival, etc. At these he has introduced for the first time in England Schubert's noble songs, 'Waldesnacht' and 'Wehmuth.' He appeared on the boards of Drury Lane in July 1887.
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