Sims Reeves by Barraud

JOHN SIMS REEVES (21 October 1821 – 25 October 1900), ( Sims Reeves) English operatic, oratorio and ballad tenor

Reeves began his singing career in 1838 but continued his vocal studies until 1847 In summer 1843 Reeves studied in Paris under the tenor and pedagogue Marco Bordogni of the Paris Conservatoire

From October 1843 to January 1844 Reeves appeared in a very varied programme of musical drama, including the roles of Elvino in "La Sonnambula" and Tom Tug in Charles Dibdin's "The Waterman", at the Manchester theatre, and over the next two years performed in Dublin, Liverpool and elsewhere in the provinces .In oratorio, Reeves first sang "The Messiah" in Glasgow, Scotland, during 1844 .
His debut in Italian opera was made on 29 October 1846 at La Scala in Milan as Edgardo in Donizetti's "Lucia di Lammermoor", partnered by Catherine HayesHis first principal role on the English operatic stage was with Louis Jullien's English Opera company at Drury Lane Theatre in December 1847 in "Lucia", in English text, with Mme Doras Gras and Willoughby Weiss, winning winning immediate and near-universal acclaim, not least from Hector Berlioz, who conducted the performance 1848In February 1848 he sang Handel's "Judas Maccabaeus", at Exeter Hall for John Hullah, "Acis and Galatea" in March and "Jephtha" in April and May. He was, meanwhile establishing himself as the leading ballad-singer in England .
In May 1848 he joined Benjamin Lumley's company at Her Majesty's Theatre and sang "Linda di Chamounix" with Eugenia Tadolini, but he severed the connection when Italo Gardoni was brought in to sing Edgardo in "Lucia" opposite Jenny Lind .
In September 1848 at the Worcester festival he took a solo in "Elijah", and sang in Beethoven's "Christ on the Mount of Olives", and packed the hall in a recital of "Oberon" His London Covent Garden Italian debut was in 1849, as "Elvino" in Bellini's "La sonnambula", opposite Fanny Tacchinardi Persiani : he made a great effect of full lyrical declamation in "Tutto e sciolto

In the winter of 1849 he returned to English opera, and in 1850 at Her Majesty's he made a further great success in Verdi's "Ernani", opposite the "Elvira" of Mdlle Parodi and "Carlo" of Giovanni Belletti, who was about to embark on an American tour at the invitation of Jenny Lind

Reeves toured in Dublin at Theatre Royal in 1849, for Mr Calcraft .During the 1850s, Reeves's career moved away from the stage and increasingly focused upon concert work 1851In 1851 Reeves sang Florestan in "Fidelio" to Sophie Cruvelli's Leonore, and some thought he outshone her.In February 1851 they returned to Dublin, where Reeves was to have performed with the soprano Giulia Grisi: she, however, was indisposed,

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