Personalities | Charles Dibdin | Classical Era | Classical

1745–1814
English composer

Dibdin began his career as a chorus singer at the Covent Garden Theatre, London. He composed many English operas and other dramatic pieces, spending most of his life around the London theatres and pleasure gardens (with journeys to France to elude his creditors and other enemies). His chief success came with his one-man ‘Table Entertainments’, songs and readings, often in comic accents; he also wrote novels, librettos, memoirs and travel books. Above all, Dibdin was a gifted composer of songs, but his awkward personality obstructed the realization of his gifts.

Recommended Recording:
Three Operas: The Ephesian Matron, The Brickdust Man, The Grenadier, Opera Restor’d (dir) Peter Holman (Hyperion)

Introduction | Classical Era | Classical
Personalities | Carl Ditters von Dittersdorf | Classical Era | Classical

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