Moorehead, John (c. 1760-1804)

Irish violinist and composer. After studying in Ireland, he went to England as a youth and played at various provincial theatres, playing the viola at Sadler's Wells Theatre in London from 1796, and the violin at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden from 1798. He had already produced his first stage work in 1796 and wrote several more for Royal Opera House, Covent Garden. In 1802 he became insane and was confined. On being released he entered the Navy, but hanged himself in a fit of madness.

Works stage pieces Birds of a Feather (1796), Harlequin's Tour (with Attwood), Perouse (with Davy), The Cabinet (with Braham, Davy and others), Family Quarrels (with Braham and Reeve, 1802), The Naval Pillar (1799), Morton's Speed the Plough and others; pantomimes.