Holmes, Alfred

1837-1876

Born in London, he, with his brother Henry, received their only violin instruction from their father. Both choristers at the Oratory, Alfred became the principal soprano. Their first public appearance as violinists was at the Haymarket Theatre in 1847. After this event they spent their time in study, next appearing in 1853 at a concert at the Beethoven Rooms. Two years later they began a tour of the Continent, visiting Brussels, Wiesbaden, Frankfort, Darmstadt, Leipsic, Mayence and Cassel. At the last-named place Spohr took a great interest in them, dedicating his three grand duos to them. In 1857 they went to Vienna, thence to Sweden, where they remained two years, in 1860 to Copenhagen and the next year to Amsterdam. From this time the brothers separated, Alfred settling in Paris, whence he made occasional tours alone. His compositions include the symphonies, Jeanne d'Arc, with solos and chorus; The Youth of Shakespeare; Robin Hood; The Siege of Paris; Charles XII.; and Romeo and Juliet; the overtures, The Cid; Les Muses; and an opera, Inez de Castro.