November 18, 1786:
Henry Rowley Bishop is born 83 Great Portland Street in London, United Kingdom, the son of Samuel Bishop, a watchmaker.
August 30, 1804:
Angelina, a musical farce with music by Henry R. Bishop (17) to words of Goldsmith, is performed for the first time, in the Theatre Royal, Margate.
April 8, 1806:
Tamerlane et Bajazet, a ballet with contributions by Henry R. Bishop (19) to a story by Rossi, is performed for the first time, in King’s Theatre in the Haymarket, London.
May 15, 1806:
Armide et Renaud, a ballet with an overture by Henry R. Bishop (19) to a story by Rossi, is performed for the first time, in the King’s Theatre in the Haymarket, London.
June 24, 1806:
Narcisse et les graces, an anacreontic ballet by Henry R. Bishop (19) to a story by Rossi, is performed for the first time, in the King’s Theatre in the Haymarket, London.
April 22, 1808:
Caractacus, a ballet of action by Henry R. Bishop (21) to a story by Sheridan, is performed for the first time, in the Drury Lane Theatre, London.
June 1, 1808:
Music to Skeffington’s play The Mysterious Bride by Henry R. Bishop (21) is performed for the first time, in the Drury Lane Theatre, London.
November 23, 1808:
Love in a Tub, a pastoral ballet by Henry R. Bishop (22) to a story by d’Egville, is performed for the first time, in the Drury Lane Theatre, London.
February 23, 1809:
The Circassian Bride, an opera by Henry R. Bishop (22) to words of Ward, is performed for the first time, in the Drury Lane Theatre, London. Unfortunately, the theatre will burn down tomorrow, taking the score with it.
April 30, 1809:
Henry R. Bishop (22) marries Elizabeth Sarah Lyon, a singer at St. Martin’s-in-the-Fields, London.
June 15, 1809:
Mora’s Love, or The Enchanted Harp, a Scottish ballet by Henry R. Bishop (22) to a story by d’Egville, is performed for the first time, in the King’s Theatre in the Haymarket, London.
August 1, 1809:
The Vintagers, a musical romance by Henry R. Bishop (22) to words of Eyre, is performed for the first time, in the Little Theatre in the Haymarket, London.
March 13, 1810:
The Maniac, or The Swiss Banditti, a serio-comic opera by Henry R. Bishop (23) to words of Arnold, is performed for the first time, in the Lyceum, London.
February 5, 1811:
The Knight of Snowdoun, a musical drama with music by Henry R. Bishop (24) to words of Morton after Scott, is performed for the first time, in Covent Garden, London.
January 31, 1812:
The Virgin of the Sun, an operatic drama by Henry R. Bishop (25) to words of Reynolds after Kotzebue, is performed for the first time, in Covent Garden, London.
October 6, 1812:
The Aethiop, or The Child of the Desert, a romantic drama by Henry R. Bishop (25) to words of Dimond, is performed for the first time, in Covent Garden, London.
December 2, 1812:
Music for Reynolds’ (after Dryden) play The Renegade by Henry R. Bishop (26) is performed for the first time, in Covent Garden, London.
January 24, 1813:
Thirty of London’s most eminent musicians, including Muzio Clementi (61) and Henry R. Bishop (26), join to form the Philharmonic Society.
February 3, 1813:
Poor Vulcan, a burletta/extravaganza with two songs by Henry R. Bishop (26) to words of Dibdin, is performed for the first time, in Covent Garden, London.
February 6, 1813:
Those who met on 24 January meet again in London and sign a manifesto and a set of laws for a “Philharmonic Society.” Signers include Muzio Clementi (61), Henry R. Bishop (26), Thomas Attwood, Vincent Novello, Johann Peter Salomon, and George Smart.
May 29, 1813:
The Brazen Bust, a melodrama with music by Henry R. Bishop (26) to words of Kemble, is performed for the first time, in Covent Garden, London.
July 2, 1813:
Harry-le-Roy, an heroic pastoral burletta with music by Henry R. Bishop (26) to words of Pocock after Dodsley, is performed for the first time, in Covent Garden, London.
October 21, 1813:
The Miller and his Men, a melodrama with music by Henry R. Bishop (26) to words of Pocock, is performed for the first time, in Covent Garden, London.
December 15, 1813:
For England, Ho!, a melodramatic opera by Henry R. Bishop (27) and Welsh to words of Pocock, is performed for the first time, in Covent Garden, London.
February 1, 1814:
The comic opera The Farmer’s Wife with music by Henry R. Bishop (27) and several others, to words of Dibdin, Jr., is performed for the first time, in Covent Garden, London.
February 24, 1814:
The Wandering Boys, or The Castle of Olival, a romantic drama by Henry R. Bishop (27) to words of Pocock, is performed for the first time, in Covent Garden, London.
April 11, 1814:
Sadak and Kalasrade, or The Waters of Oblivion, an Asiatic spectacle with music by Henry R. Bishop (27) to words of Farley, is performed for the first time, in Covent Garden, London.
April 28, 1814:
Lionel and Clarissa, an opera by Henry R. Bishop (27) to words of Bickerstaffe, is performed for the first time, in Covent Garden, London.
June 13, 1814:
The Grand Alliance, a patriotic interlude by Henry R. Bishop (27) to words possibly by Farley, is performed for the first time, in Covent Garden, London.
July 14, 1814:
Henry R. Bishop (27) departs London for his first trip to the continent.
July 23, 1814:
On his first trip to the continent, Henry R. Bishop (27) arrives in Paris.
September 26, 1814:
Dr Sangrado, a Spanish ballet by Henry R. Bishop (27) to a story by d’Egville, is performed for the first time, in Covent Garden, London.
September 30, 1814:
The Dog of Montargis, or The Forest of Bondy, a melodrama by Henry R. Bishop (27) to words of Harris after Pixérécourt, is performed for the first time, in Covent Garden, London.
April 7, 1815:
The Noble Outlaw, a comic opera by Henry R. Bishop (28) to words of Mrs Opie after Fletcher, is performed for the first time, in Covent Garden, London.
June 7, 1815:
Telemachus, a ballad opera with music by Henry R. Bishop (28) to words of Graham, is performed for the first time, in Covent Garden, London.
September 15, 1815:
The Magpie or the Maid?, a melodrama with music by Henry R. Bishop (28) to words of Pocock after Badouin d’Aubigny and Caigniez, is performed for the first time, in Covent Garden, London.
October 25, 1815:
John du Bart, or The Voyage to Poland, an historical melodrama by Henry R. Bishop (28) to words of Farley and Pocock, is performed for the first time, in Covent Garden, London.
January 17, 1816:
A Midsummer Night’s Dream, a comedy with music by Henry R. Bishop (29) to words of Reynolds after Shakespeare and Garrick, is performed for the first time, in Covent Garden, London.
March 12, 1816:
Guy Mannering, or The Gipsy’s Prophecy, a musical play with music by Henry R. Bishop (29) to words of Terry after Scott, is performed for the first time, in Covent Garden, London.
April 16, 1816:
Who Wants a Wife? or The Law of the Land, a musical drama with music by Henry R. Bishop (29) to words of Pocock, is performed for the first time, in Covent Garden, London.
May 6, 1816:
The Royal Nuptials, or The Masque of Hymen, a pageant with music by Henry R. Bishop (29) to words possibly by Farley, is performed for the first time, in Covent Garden, London.
July 22, 1816:
Exit by Mistake, a comedy with music by Henry R. Bishop (29) to words of Jameson, is performed for the first time, in the Little Theatre in the Haymarket, London.
August 3, 1816:
On his second trip to the continent, Henry R. Bishop (29) visits the battleground at Waterloo. He picks cornflowers which he presses in the pages of his diary.
November 12, 1816:
The Slave, a musical drama by Henry R. Bishop (29) to words of Morton, is performed for the first time, in Covent Garden, London.
January 18, 1817:
The Humorous Lieutenant, or Alexander’s Successors, a play with music by Henry R. Bishop (30) to words of Reynolds after Beaumont and Fletcher, is performed for the first time, in Covent Garden, London.
February 27, 1817:
The Heir of Vironi, or Honesty the Best Policy, an operatic piece with music by Henry R. Bishop (30) and J. Whitaker to words of Pocock, is performed for the first time, in Covent Garden, London.
May 3, 1817:
The Apostate, a tragedy with music by Henry R. Bishop (30) to words of Shiel, is performed for the first time, in Covent Garden, London.
May 26, 1817:
An Overture in E by Henry R. Bishop (30) is performed for the first time, at the Philharmonic Society, London. It is Bishop’s first appearance at the Philharmonic, a society he helped form.
July 30, 1817:
Teazing Made Easy, a comedy with music by Henry R. Bishop (30) to words of Jameson, is performed for the first time, in Covent Garden, London.
September 29, 1817:
The Duke of Savoy, or Wife and Mistress, a musical play with music by Henry R. Bishop (30) to words of Reynolds, is performed for the first time, in Covent Garden, London.
October 25, 1817:
The Father and his Children, a melodrama with music by Henry R. Bishop (30) to words of Reynolds, is performed for the first time, in Covent Garden, London.
January 1, 1818:
Retribution, or The Chieftain’s Daughter, a tragedy with music by Henry R. Bishop (31) to words of Dillon, is performed for the first time, in Covent Garden, London.
February 3, 1818:
The Illustrious Traveller, or The Forges of Kanzel, a melodrama with music by Henry R. Bishop (31) to words of Reynolds, is performed for the first time, in Covent Garden, London.
February 5, 1818:
Fazio, a tragedy with a song by Henry R. Bishop (31) to words of Milman, is performed for the first time, in Covent Garden, London.
February 21, 1818:
Zuma, or The Tree of Health, a comic opera with music by Henry R. Bishop (31) to words of Dibdin after Genlis, is performed for the first time, in Covent Garden, London.
May 16, 1818:
December and May, an operatic farce with music by Henry R. Bishop (31) to words of Dimond after Brittle, is performed for the first time, in Covent Garden, London.
September 23, 1818:
The Burgomaster of Saardam, or The Two Peters, a musical drama with music by Henry R. Bishop (31) to words of Reynolds, is performed for the first time, in Covent Garden, London.
April 12, 1819:
Fortunatus and his Sons, or The Magic Purse and Wishing Cap, a melodramatic romance with music by Henry R. Bishop (32) to words of Farley after Dekker, is performed for the first time, in Covent Garden, London.
April 17, 1819:
The Heart of Mid-Lothian, a musical drama with music by Henry R. Bishop (32) to words of Terry after Scott, is performed for the first time, in Covent Garden, London.
April 29, 1819:
A Roland for an Oliver, a musical farce with music by Henry R. Bishop (32) to words of Morton, is performed for the first time, in Covent Garden, London.
May 19, 1819:
Swedish Patriotism, or The Signal Fire, a melodrama with music by Henry R. Bishop (32) to words of Abbott, is performed for the first time, in Covent Garden, London.
October 6, 1819:
The Gnome-King, or The Giant Mountains, a dramatic legend by Henry R. Bishop (32) to words of Colman, is performed for the first time, in Covent Garden, London.
December 11, 1819:
Comedy of Errors, a comedy with music by Henry R. Bishop (33) to words of Reynolds after Shakespeare, is performed for the first time, in Covent Garden, London.
January 25, 1820:
The Antiquary, a musical play with music by Henry R. Bishop (33) to words of Pocock and Terry after Scott, is performed for the first time, in Covent Garden, London.
April 22, 1820:
Henri Quatre, or Paris in the Olden Time, a musical romance with music by Henry R. Bishop (33) to words of Morton, is performed for the first time, in Covent Garden, London.
May 3, 1820:
Montoni, or The Phantom, a dramatic piece with music by Henry R. Bishop (33) to words of Shiel, is performed for the first time, in Covent Garden, London.
May 22, 1820:
The Battle of Bothwell Brigg, a musical romance with music by Henry R. Bishop (33) to words of Farley after Scott, is performed for the first time, in Covent Garden, London.
August 5, 1820:
An Overture alla Irlandese by Henry R. Bishop (33) is performed for the first time, in Dublin.
November 8, 1820:
Twelfth Night, a comedy with music by Henry R. Bishop (33) to words of Reynolds after Shakespeare, is performed for the first time, in Covent Garden, London.
January 9, 1821:
Mirandola, a tragedy with music by Henry R. Bishop (34) to words of Cornwall, is performed for the first time, in Covent Garden, London.
February 20, 1821:
Don John, or The Two Violettas, an operatic drama with music by Henry R. Bishop (34) to words of Reynolds after Beaumont and Fletcher, is performed for the first time, in Covent Garden, London.
March 9, 1821:
Ode for the Anniversary of the Accession of George IV by Henry R. Bishop (34) is performed for the first time, in London.
May 15, 1821:
Music to Reynolds’ (after Shakespeare) play The Tempest by Henry R. Bishop (34), is performed for the first time, in Covent Garden, London.
August 21, 1821:
The Freedom of the City is conferred upon Henry R. Bishop (34) by the City of Dublin.
November 29, 1821:
Music to Reynolds’ (after Shakespeare) play Two Gentlemen of Verona by Henry R. Bishop (35), is performed for the first time, in Covent Garden, London.
February 14, 1822:
Montrose, or The Children of the Mist, an opera by Henry R. Bishop (35) and others, to words of Pocock, is performed for the first time, in Covent Garden, London.
May 11, 1822:
The Law of Java, a musical drama by Henry R. Bishop (35) to words of Colman, is performed for the first time, in Covent Garden, London.
December 3, 1822:
Maid Marian, or The Huntress of Arlingford, an opera by Henry R. Bishop (36) to words of Planché after Peacock and Scott, is performed for the first time, in Covent Garden, London.
January 28, 1823:
Music to Pocock’s (after Scott) play Nigel, or The Crown Jewels by Henry R. Bishop (36), is performed for the first time, in Covent Garden, London.
May 3, 1823:
Clari, or The Maid of Milan, an opera by Henry R. Bishop (36) to words of Payne, is performed for the first time, in Covent Garden, London.
October 5, 1823:
The Beacon of Liberty, an historical romance with music by Henry R. Bishop (36) to words of Bayley, is performed for the first time, in Covent Garden, London.
November 5, 1823:
Cortez, or The Conquest of Mexico, an opera by Henry R. Bishop (36) to words of Planché after Prescott, is performed for the first time, in Covent Garden, London.
December 12, 1823:
The Vespers of Palermo, a tragedy by Henry R. Bishop (37) to words of Hemans, is performed for the first time, in Covent Garden, London.
May 27, 1824:
Charles II, or The Merry Monarch, a comedy with music by Henry R. Bishop (37) to words of Payne, is performed for the first time, in Covent Garden, London.
January 19, 1825:
The Fall of Algiers, an opera by Henry R. Bishop (38) to words of Walker, is performed for the first time, in Drury Lane Theatre, London.
February 17, 1825:
Music to Soane’s historical play Masaniello, the Fisherman of Naples by Henry R. Bishop (38) is performed for the first time, in Drury Lane Theatre, London.
May 11, 1825:
Music to Knowles’ historical play William Tell by Henry R. Bishop (38) is performed for the first time, in Drury Lane Theatre, London.
May 16, 1825:
Music to Soane and Terry’s (after Goethe) romantic drama Faustus by Henry R. Bishop (38) and others is performed for the first time, in the Drury Lane Theatre, London.
July 10, 1825:
An overture for Colman’s spectacle The Coronation of Charles X by Henry R. Bishop (38) is performed for the first time, in the Drury Lane Theatre, London.
April 29, 1826:
Aladdin, a romantic fairy opera by Henry R. Bishop (39) to words of Soane, is performed for the first time, in Drury Lane Theatre, London. A seriously ill Carl Maria von Weber (39) attends the premiere. As he enters, the house rises. During the “Huntsmen’s Chorus” the audience whistles Weber’s chorus of the same name.
May 29, 1826:
The Knights of the Cross, or The Hermit’s Prophecy, a musical romance with music by Henry R. Bishop (39), to words of Beazley, after Scott, is performed for the first time, in the Drury Lane Theatre, London.
January 27, 1827:
Englishmen in India, a comic opera by Henry R. Bishop (40) to words of Dimond, is performed for the first time, in the Little Theatre in the Haymarket, London.
July 12, 1827:
The Rencontre, or Love Will Find Out the Way, an operatic comedy with music by Henry R. Bishop (40) to words of Planché, is performed for the first time, in the Little Theatre in the Haymarket, London.
January 28, 1828:
Music to Reynolds’ historical play Edward, the Black Prince by Henry R. Bishop (41) is performed for the first time, in Drury Lane Theatre, London.
March 10, 1828:
Don Pedro, a tragedy with music by Henry R. Bishop (41) to words of Lord Porchester, is performed for the first time, in Drury Lane Theatre, London.
February 5, 1829:
Yelva, or The Orphan of Russia, a musical drama by Henry R. Bishop (42) to his own words, is performed for the first time, in Covent Garden, London.
March 19, 1829:
Home, Sweet Home, or The Ranz des Vaches, an operatic drama with music by Henry R. Bishop (42) to words of Somerset, is performed for the first time, in Covent Garden, London.
November 17, 1829:
The Night before the Wedding and the Wedding Night, a comic opera with music by Henry R. Bishop to words of Fitzball, is performed for the first time, in Covent Garden, London, on the eve of the composer’s 43rd birthday. It is an adaptation of Boieldieu’s (53) Les deux nuits.
February 4, 1830:
Ninetta, or The Maid of Palaiseau, a comic opera by Henry R. Bishop (43) to words of Fitzball after Gherardini, is performed for the first time, in Covent Garden, London. It is a reworking of Rossini’s (37) La gazza ladra.
May 1, 1830:
Hofer, the Tell of the Tyrol, an historical opera by Henry R. Bishop (43) to words of Planché, is performed for the first time, in the Drury Lane Theatre, London. It is a reworking of Rossini’s (38) Guillaume Tell.
June 25, 1830:
Under the oak, or The London Shepherdess, a vaudeville opera by Henry R. Bishop (43) to words of Fitzball after Burgoyne, is performed for the first time, in Vauxhall Gardens, London.
July 23, 1830:
Adelaide, or The Royal William, a nautical burletta by Henry R. Bishop (43) to words of Fitzball, is performed for the first time, in Vauxhall Gardens, London.
February 3, 1831:
The Romance of a Day, an operatic drama by Henry R. Bishop (44) to words of Planché, is performed for the first time, in Covent Garden, London.
June 10, 1831:
Elizabeth Sarah Bishop, the first wife of Henry R. Bishop (44), dies after a long illness.
July 9, 1831:
Henry R. Bishop (44) marries Anna Riviere, a singer, at Marylebone Church, London. It is his second marriage.
February 20, 1832:
The Demon, or The Mystic Branch, a romantic opera by Henry R. Bishop (45) to words of Ftizball and Buckstone after Scribe, is performed for the first time, in Drury Lane Theatre, London. It is a reworking of Meyerbeer’s (40) Robert le diable.
May 8, 1832:
The Tyrolese Peasant, a domestic opera by Henry R. Bishop (45) to words of Payne, is performed for the first time, in Covent Garden, London.
June 18, 1832:
The Magic Fan, or The Filip on the Nose, an operetta by Henry R. Bishop (45) to words of Fitzball, is performed for the first time, in Vauxhall Gardens, London.
July 27, 1832:
The Bottle of Champagne, an operetta by Henry R. Bishop (45) to words of Fitzball, is performed for the first time, in Vauxhall Gardens, London.
August 27, 1832:
The Sedan Chair, an operetta by Henry R. Bishop (45) to words of Fitzball, is performed for the first time, in Vauxhall Gardens, London.
October 13, 1832:
Pageant in Memory of Sir Walter Scott, a spectacle with music by Henry R. Bishop (45), is performed for the first time, in Drury Lane Theatre, London.
October 29, 1832:
The Doom-Kiss, a legendary operatic entertainment with music by Henry R. Bishop (45) to words of Pocock, is performed for the first time, in Drury Lane Theatre, London.
January 21, 1833:
The Gentlemen’s Glee Club at Manchester awards two prizes in a composition contest. The prize for a serious glee is awarded to Henry R. Bishop (46) for his Where shall we make her grave?. It is the first time he has entered a composition competition.
March 16, 1833:
The Maid of Cashmere, a ballet-opera by Henry R. Bishop (46) to words of Fitzball after Scribe, is performed for the first time, in Drury Lane Theatre, London. It is a reworking of Auber’s (51) Le dieu et la bayadère.
March 3, 1834:
The Seventh Day, a cantata by Henry R. Bishop (47) to words of Milton is performed for the first time, at the Philharmonic Society, London.
June 9, 1834:
Rural Felicity, a comic opera with music by Henry R. Bishop (47) to words of Buckstone, is performed for the first time, in the Little Theatre in the Haymarket, London.
October 28, 1834:
Manfred, a dramatic poem with music by Henry R. Bishop (47) to words of Byron, is performed for the first time, in Drury Lane Theatre, London.
June 6, 1836:
The Departure from Paradise, a cantata by Henry R. Bishop (49), is performed for the first time, at the Philharmonic Society, London.
October 13, 1838:
The Maid of Palaiseau, a comic opera by Henry R. Bishop (51) to words of Fitzball, is performed for the first time, in Drury Lane Theatre, London. It is Bishop’s second reworking of Rossini’s La gazza ladra.
June 10, 1839:
The Fallen Angel, an oratorio by Henry R. Bishop (52), is performed for the first time, at Oxford.
September 3, 1839:
A concert devoted entirely to the work of Henry R. Bishop (52) is given at the Theatre Royal, Manchester by various musical organizations of the city. He is presented with the proceeds and a gold snuff box.
February 12, 1840:
The Fortunate Isles, or The Triumphs of Britannia, an allegorical and national masque with music by Henry R. Bishop (53) to words of Planché, is performed for the first time, in Covent Garden, London.
June 1, 1842:
Henry Rowley Bishop (55) is knighted by Queen Victoria at Windsor.
June 8, 1853:
Ode on the Installation of the Earl of Derby by Henry R. Bishop (66), to words of Claughton, is performed for the first time, at the event at Oxford University.
June 21, 1854:
Henry R. Bishop (67) is awarded the degree of Mus. Doc. Oxon. by Magdelen College, Oxford.
April 30, 1855:
Henry Rowley Bishop dies at his home at 13 Cambridge Street in London, United Kingdom, after an operation for bladder cancer, aged 68 years, five months, and twelve days. His remains will be laid to rest in St. Marylebone (East Finchley) Cemetery, London.