HENRY, JOHN (1859-1914), musician;
b. in 1859 at Portmadoc, Caerns., the son of Bennett Williams. He was brought up in a musical family. He joined the Caernarvon Volunteers band and when he was only thirteen years old became its conductor. Possessed of a good baritone voice he began to compete as a soloist when he was seventeen and won several prizes. When he was twenty-one he went to the Royal College of Music, London, and after completing his course there settled as a teacher of singing in London, moving afterwards to Liverpool (1884) where he became a teacher of music. Besides taking part as soloist in performances of ‘The Messiah,’ ‘Elijah,’ ‘Samson,’ etc., he wrote several solos which became popular, among them being ‘Teyrn y Dydd,’ ‘Galwad y Tywysog,’ ‘Cân y Bugail,’ ‘Cenwch im yr hen Ganiadau,’ and ‘Gwlad y Delyn.’ He also composed part-songs, e.g. ‘Nos Ystorm,’ and ‘Selene,’ a cantata called ‘Olga,’ and an opera ‘Caradog.’ He d. 14 Jan. 1914 and was buried at Liverpool.
Bibliography:
- F. Griffith, Notable Welsh Musicians;
- Y Cerddor, March 1914.
Author:
Robert David Griffith, M.A., (1877-1958), Old Colwyn
