Cowen, FREDERIC HYMEN,

Cowen, FREDERIC HYMEN, composer, born at Kingston, Jamaica, 29th January 1852, was brought as a child to England. He early showed decided musical talent, which was cultivated by a course of study under Benedict and Goss, as also at Leipzig and Berlin. Among his works are the operas Pauline (1876), Thorgrim (1890), Signa (1893), and Harold (1895); the cantatas The Rose Maiden, Sleeping Beauty, The Water Lily, and others; two oratorios (including Ruth, 1887); half-a-dozen symphonies, one of which, No. 3 (Scandinavian), is esteemed throughout Europe; a number of overtures, pianoforte pieces, and minor works, and over 250 songs. In 1888-92 he was conductor to the Philharmonic Society, in 1896 succeeded Hallé at Manchester and Liverpool.