Seguin, Arthur Edward Shelden

1809-1852

English bass singer; born in London, and studied at the Royal Academy of Music there, and who sang with the first English Opera company that ever appeared in America. Seguin began his career as a vocalist in 1829, when he was heard at the Exeter Festival. Two years later he appeared in London, singing frequently at the Concerts of Ancient Music. He was also heard in opera, appearing in Handel's Acis and Galatea and in Matrimonio Segreto. After his marriage to Anne Childe Seguin, the singer, he came to America, appearing for the first time before an American audience in 1837, when he took part in the production of Fra Diavolo at Boston. He later formed an operatic troupe called the Seguin troupe, which toured the country, giving performances of operas in English, as well as English operas, in better style than had ever been accomplished up to that time. He also sang with the Cooper English Opera Company, of which Theodore Thomas was the musical director. Seguin's voice was a deep, powerful bass of wide range, and he was extremely popular in his day.