The Portland daily press., 1888-07-26
A DISTINGUISHED MUSICIAN.
Prof. r. Nichols Crouch, the Conn
poser Of Kathleen Mavourneen,
Visits Portland After Many Years
Absence.

Prof. +. Nichols Crouch, the distinguished
musician and composer, formerly teacher
in this city, but for many years past resi-
dent of Baltimore, arrived in Portland yes
terday and is visiting our esteemed fellow
citizen, George A. Thomas, Esq. The pro-
lessor is looking hale and hearty and one
can hardly believe that he has attained so
great an age as eighty years. He does not
look over sixty. 1t seems hardly possible
that this upright fine looking man is the
same gentleman who left Portland over thir.
ty years ago.
Prof. Crouch is native of London, Eng
land, and was born in Warren street, Fitzroy
Square, in the parish of St. Pancras, Maryle-
bone, July 3lst. 1908. His father was f. w.
Crouch, the violincellist, and his mother was
Anna Maria, daughter of the eminent barris
ter, Nichols. At the age Of nine he began
his professional career. at the Royal Coburg
Theatre, at a salary of six dollars week.
from which his father allowed him twelve
cents weekly for pocket money. The theatre
was five miles distant from his home, and he
walked there twice daily. His next move
was two hundred miles away from home. as
member of a travelling circuit in Yorkshire.
Thence he went to Scotland and joined Ry-
der's company at the Caledonia Theatre.
This company failing, necessity compelled
him to enter the merchant service as a COM
mon seaman, working on coasting smacks
plying between London and Leith, and I'M
dergoing great hardship and exposure, but,
possessing dauntless spirit, he brayed the
perils of the sea for two years and then
found himself in the streets of London. Here
he soon engaged himself with Evans, the pro-
prietor of theIcelebrated "Cider Cellars" in
Covent Garden. When in Tendon Professor
Crouch's home was with his mother, with
whom resided William Watts, the secretary
of the great London Philharmonic Society.
Under their able instruction he completed his
musical education, and practically made him.
self the musician he became in after years.
Through Watts's influence he entered the
orchestra of Drury Lane, under the leader
ship OF Tom Cooke, as seventh violincellO in
the band, which position he retained, work
ing steadfastly up, year after year, until he
reached the principal desk, to which he was
appointed by Henry X. Bishop. 1t was dur
ing his long service at this theatre that he
became acquainted with all the great actors
and actresses, singers, painters, authors and
dramatists of the day.
The professor was the solo exeeutant, in
the production of John Howard Payne's
CLARA, the Maid of Milan" in which "Home
Sweet Home" was sung for the first time
by Miss Stephens, who abandoned the dra-
matte stage to assume the title role of the
Countess of Essex. Professor Crouch saw
Sheridan Knowles Virginius when first
placed upon the boards, Charles Young play
ing the title role Miss O'Neil virginia"
and Mr.. Ward "Appius Claudius." He also
witnessed the great achievements of Ed
mund Kean, the Kembles and many other
distinguished actors. AS the years crept on
his voice developed, and he became a pupil
OF William Halves. and a chorister in st.
PauPs, and finally student in the Royal
Academy of Music classmate of Sterndale
Bennett, Miss Annie Bishop and others. He
also had the honor of playing nightly in the
presence of royalty
Professor Crouch composed that beautiful
song "Kathereen Mayoureen" which laid the
foundation of his fame.
In 1849 the professor came to America and
in Portland he first produced Rossinls
StdbQt Mater and familiarized the communi-
ty with English glees, and the masters of
Madrigal. About 1858 he went to Philadel-
phia where he gave Joseph and his Breth.
rem" and Locke's music in Macbeth
In Washington he had the charge of a
choir, and in 1869 had charge of the music in
st. Paul's, Richmond. He was at the high
est point of his success when the Rebellion
broke out and he entered the army, serving
through the war;