Singelée, Jean Baptiste

1812-1875

Belgian violinist and composer; born in Brussels. Was first taught by his brother, Charles, and was a pupil of Wery at the Royal School of Music, Brussels, winning the first prize in 1829. He played for several years in orchestras of minor theatres, then at the Opera Comique, Paris. Returning to Brussels, Singelee became one of the first violins in the orchestra of the Theatre Royal, and in 1839 was first violin there. He was afterward orchestra leader at a theatre in Marseilles and in 1852 was appointed to a similar post at Ghent, later went to Antwerp and then to the Theatre de la Monnaie, Brussels. Singelee wrote altogether about one hundred and forty-four compositions, including a ballet, Arsene, produced at Brussels in 1845; two concertos for violin; overtures; fantasies on operatic themes from the works of Bellini, Auber, Herold, Verdi and later operatic composers, besides a fantasiapastorale and many solos for violin. He died at Ostend. SingeleVs daughter, Louise, born in 1844, became a distinguished vocalist. She died in 1886. His brother Charles, 1809-1867, was a violinist highly esteemed in his day.