Untitled

Grey River Argus, Volume V, Issue 341, 21 March 1868, Page 3

The Late Mr W. H. Weiss.— This eminent singer, Mr Willoughby Hunter Weiss, whose untimely death we had to record with so much regret recently, was a native of Liverpool, where his father, a musician of talent and reputation, carried on an extensive business as a music-seller. His son was born April 2, 1820. Having received from his father the rudiments of a musical education, he afterwards became a pupii of Mr Balfe, and was brought out at an early age at the Dublin Theatre. Soon afterwards he obtained an engagement as a bass singer at the Gloucester Musical Festival of 1844, and from that time ho rose rapidly to the highest honors of his profession, his assistance being demanded in all the principal concerts, oratorio performances, and other musicmeetings, both in London and the provinces. Gifted by nature with, a magnificent voice, and possessed of all the attainments of an accomplished artist, his name is associated with the first performances of several of the greatest master-pieces of the day, among which Mendelssohn's "Elijah" maybespeciallymentioned. He "created" the character of the inspired prophet, which he clothed with a grandeur and sublimity never surpassed by any other performer ; he gained, moreover, no small reputation as a composer, many of the most favorite songs and other pieces which he was wont to sing in public being from his own pen. He married an amiable lady well known as possessing musical talents akin to his own ; and his widow, with one daughter, survives to mourn his loss. — Illustrated News.