Bishop, Henry (Rowley) (1786-1855)

English conductor and composer. He produced Angelina (composed with Francesco Lanza (1783-1862)) at Margate in 1804 and the ballet Tamerlan et Bajazet at the King's Theatre in London in 1806. From that time on he brought out one or more stage pieces almost each year until 1840.

Born in London, he studied under Francesco Bianchi. In 1813 he was one of the founders of the Philharmonic Society and became one of its conductors. He was appointed professor of music at Oxford in 1848. He was married twice; both his wives were singers: Sarah Lyon in 1809 and Anna Riviere in 1831.

Works Stage over 100 pieces for the stage, including The Corsair, The Circassian Bride (1809), Guy Mannering (after Scott; 1816), The Burgomaster of Saardam, The Heart of Midlothian (after Scott; 1819), Montrose (after Scott), The Law of Java, Maid Marian, Clari, Cortez, Faustus (1825), Aladdin, The Fortunate Isles (1840); incidental music for three tragedies, for adaptations of Scott, Byron, and Shakespeare.

Other oratorio The Fallen Angel; cantata The Seventh Day; three volumes of national melodies with words by Moore and other collections of arrangements.