William Parsons (composer and musician)

For the English Renaissance composer, see William Parsons (composer and copyist).

Sir William Parsons (1745/6–1817) was an English composer and musician who was Master of the King's Musick under George III between 1786 and 1817.

Originally a chorister at Westminster Abbey, he developed a reputation as a fine tenor, but was passed over for another musician at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden and thus went to Europe to seek employment.[1] Returning to England, he was assistant director at the George Frideric Handel commemorations in Westminster Abbey and the Pantheon in 1784, and composed a number of anthems for royal usage.[1] He gained a doctorate in music at Oxford University in 1790. In his spare time, he acted as a magistrate for the jurisdiction near his house in Portman Square.[2]

He was knighted by the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, John Jeffreys Pratt, second Earl Camden in 1795, thus becoming the first British musician honoured with a knighthood.[2] An unremarkable composer and musician, he gained the title more through tutoring the king's family and his contacts than any merit, being a friend of several members of the royal family and composers such as Joseph Haydn. Few of his compositions survive.[1]

References

  1. 1 2 3 L. M. Middleton, "Parsons, Sir William (1745/6–1817)", rev. David J. Golby, Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (Oxford University Press, 2004) accessed 28 April 2011
  2. 1 2 Thomas Busby, Concert Room and Orchestra Anecdotes of Music and Musicians Volume 1 (1825) 235
Court offices
Preceded by
John Stanley		 Master of the Queen's Music
1786–1817 		Succeeded by
William Shield


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