Thomas Norris (composer)

Thomas Norris (baptised 15 August 1741 – 5 September 1790) was an English musician, known as a singer and composer.

Thomas Norris, 1777 engraving

Life

The son of John Norris of Mere, Wiltshire, he was baptised there on 15 August 1741. He became a chorister in Salisbury Cathedral under John Stephens. James Harris wrote a pastoral operetta to introduce Norris to the public. He then sang as a soprano at the Worcester and Hereford festivals of 1761–62, and at Drury Lane Theatre in a pasticcio, The Spring. In 1765 he was appointed organist of Christ Church and of St John's College, Oxford, and in the same year graduated Mus. Bac.; in 1771 he was admitted a lay clerk of Magdalen College. He appeared as a tenor at the Gloucester festival in 1766, and sang at the Three Choirs festivals until 1788. He was one of the principal singers at the first Handel commemoration festival in 1784, and his success there led to engagements for oratorio parts in London.

Norris was a drinker. His last appearance was at the Birmingham festival of 1790; he died at Himley Hall, near Stourbridge, on 5 September that year.

Works

Norris's compositions included several anthems, one of which was printed. He wrote glees and other pieces, some of which are included in Thomas Warren's Collections. His instrumental works were six symphonies for strings, oboes, and horns.

Notes

Attribution

 This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Lee, Sidney, ed. (1895). "Norris, Thomas (1741-1790)". Dictionary of National Biography. Vol. 41. London: Smith, Elder & Co.