Onslow, George

1780-1853

Composer of chamber-music. His father, son of the first Lord Onslow, married a Frenchwoman of Brantome, and George was born on his maternal estate at Clermont-Ferrand, in the Province of Auvergne. He studied music, taking piano lessons from Hullmandel, Dussek and Cramer. But his taste for music did not develop until he was enthused by the overture to Stratonice by Mehul. He then began a long series of compositions, and learned to play the violoncello and to take part in the performance of chamber-music with some friends. He went to Venice, where he studied composition for two years. Returning to France he wrote a large number of salon-pieces, with Mozart for a model. He was persuaded to attempt opera, and, in preparation, studied for a time under Reicha at Paris. But of his comic operas, L'Acalde de la Vega, Le Colporteur, and Le Due de Guise; the overture to Le Colporteur alone survived for any length of time. His chamber-music comprised thirty-four quintets and thirty-six quartets; six violin, and three cello sonatas; ten trios; a number of duets; sonatas; toccatas; sextets; a septet; and a nonet. The quintets are his best and only surviving works. He was elected to take Cherubini's place at the Institute in 1842 and was a Chevalier of the Legion of Honor. He died in 1853 at him home in Clermont. He was a gentleman of refined taste, and, although not a genius, he worked hard on his compositions, many of which, doubtless, were worthy of their popularity.