MICHAEL MAYBRICK.
(Stephen Adams.)
IVERPOOL has produced two great living baritones—Chas. Santley and Michael Maybrick.
Present Day.
From a Photo. by Debenham & Gould, B'mouth.
The latter's musical abilities showed themselves early, for at eight he had learned to play the piano, and at fourteen he was appointed organist of St. Peter's, the parish church of Liverpool, his native city, a position which he filled for eight years. As an accompanist in the concert-room, he was also held in great request. Obtaining leave of absence, he entered the Conservatoire at Leipsic, where it was discovered for the first time that his voice was a very fine one. For two years he studied singing at Leipsic and Milan; then, returning to England, he appeared in public with instantaneous success. It is strange, however, that while studying at Leipsic his vocal powers should have been discovered, while his talent for composition should have escaped recognition. It was not until after his appearance as a singer that he began to write songs for himself. "The Warrior Bold" appeared under the now familiar name of Stephen Adams. Then, in 1870, came "Nancy Lee," a song whose swing and strength of rhythm obtained for it an extraordinary popularity. Perhaps no song was ever sung, played, hummed, and whistled to the same extent. All Mr. Maybrick's songs enjoy the rare advantage of being introduced to the public by the composer himself.
