Cooke, Thomas (Simpson) (Tom) (1782–1848)

Irish tenor, violinist, and composer. He learnt music from his father, Bartlett Cooke, an oboist, played a violin concerto in public at the age of seven, learnt composition from Giordani, was leader of the Crow Street Theatre orchestra at 15 and kept a music shop 1806–12. In 1813 he appeared in London with great success and settled there. For about 20 years he not only sang at the Drury Lane Theatre, but led the orchestra, played nine different instruments, managed the house, and provided music stage pieces for it. He also taught singing with success.

Works stage pieces Frederick the Great (1814), The Wager, The Brigand, Peter the Great, King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table (1834); songs for Shakespeare's Midsummer Night's Dream; songs, glees, catches.