Caldicott, Alfred James

1842-1897

English composer and organist. Inherited his musical ability from his father. His first musical education consisted of a course of training m the choir of Worcester Cathedral. At the age of fourteen he became assistant to William Done, the organist. Later studied at the Conservatory of Leipsic, with Moscheles, Hauptmann, Richter and others. Returned to Worcester, his native place, in 1864 and became organist of St. Stephen's Church and to the corporation of Worcester, also conductor of the musical and instrumental societies of that city. In 1878 he took the degree of Bachelor of Music at Cambridge. Went to London in 1883 and was appointed professor of harmony at the Royal College of Music. In 1885, Caldicott became musical director at the Albert Palace, Battersea. During 1890 and 1891 he made a tour in America, as conductor of the Agnes Huntington Opera Company. In 1892 he was made principal of the Educational Department in the London College of Music and musical director at the Comedy Theatre in 1893. His best known works are the sacred cantata, The Widow of Nain; two cantatas for women's voices, A Rhine Legend and Queen of May; and the operettas, Treasure Trove, A Moss Rose Rent, Old Knockles, and A Fishy Case. He also wrote many glees, of which Winter Days won a prize for a serious glee and Humpty Dumpty for a humorous glee; and beside these, numerous songs, including a Dickens series of songs.