Templeton, John

1802-1886

Opera singer; known as Madame Malibran's tenor; was identified with that singer during most of his professional career. He was born at Riccarton, Kilmarnock, Scotland, and when fourteen went to Edinburgh, where he sang until his voice broke in his seventeenth year. He was only twenty when he became precentor of Dr. Brown's church in Edinburgh, and soon after went to London, where he studied singing with Cooke, DePinna and Welsh and thorough-bass with Blavitt. He made his professional debut at Worthing in 1828 with such success that he immediately obtained engagements. On the introduction of Don Juan to London audiences at Drury Lane, in 1833, he took the part of Don Qttavio and scored a brilliant success. The same year he appeared with Madame Malibran, singing with her in Sonnambula, the Devil's Bridge, the Marriage of Figaro, The Students of Jena, Fidelio and Maid of Artois. During 1836 and 1837 Templeton toured Scotland and Ireland; in 1842 he went to Paris with Balfe and was warmly received, and in 1846 he toured America, giving programs of English, Irish and Scotch songs. He retired to New Hampton, near London, in 1852, and died there in 1886. In the management of his voice Templeton displayed the greatest taste and skill, and excited admiration from all his contemporaries.