Leveridge, Richard
Leveridge, Richard
Leveridge, Richard, noted English bass and composer; b. London, c. 1670; d. there, March 22, 1758. He first gained notice in London in 1695. After a sojourn in Dublin (1699–1702), he returned to London. He was a member of Handel’s company (1712–13), appearing in the premieres of his II Pastor fido and Teseo; then sang at Lincoln’s Inn Fields (1714–20). He ran a coffeehouse from about 1716. He returned to the stage in 1723. He was principal bass at Lincoln’s Inn Fields, and subsequently at Covent Garden; retired in 1751. He publ. 5 collections of songs (London, 1697-1730). His most popular and enduring song was The Roast Beef of Old England, which he introduced at his Covent Garden benefit on April 15, 1735. He also wrote works for the stage, including incidental music to Macbeth (London, Nov. 21, 1702) and a number of masques.
—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire