Complete Encyclopaedia of Music/B/Bellamy, Thomas Ludford

Bellamy, Thomas Ludford, was born in the parish of St. John, Westminster, in 1770. He was the son of Richard Bellamy, the celebrated bass singer of his day, from whom he received his first musical education. his next instruction was from Dr. Cooke ; and afterwards, when his voice changed to a bass, he became a pupil of the celebrated Tasca, with whom he was to have gone abroad in the year succeeding to that in which Tasca died. Thus disappointed Bellamy pursued his studies in London for some time, and was appointed deputy to his father, and others, in the King's Chapel at St. James's, and in St. Paul's and Westminster Abbey. He was also employed, from time to time, at the Ancient Concerts ; on one of which occasions, and some time preceding the last commemoration of Handel, in 1791-2, he was particularly noticed by Joah Bates, who kindly volunteered giving him a series of lessons in singing ancient music. In consequence of such instruction, Bellamy's performance at those concerts was soon crowned with the most flattering success. In the year 1794, finding little hopes of promotion but in the event of deaths, Bellamy resolved on accepting an offer made him to go to Ireland, as agent to a nobleman's estates, which he enjoyed but a short time, as certain mortgages were foreclosed, and he was superseded, and left to speculate in a theatrical career, which commenced by his being appointed stage manager to the Dublin Theatre, in the year 1797. Here he was extremely successful, and in the year 1800 purchased into the Manchester, Chester, Shrewsbury, and Litchfield theatres, as joint proprietor ; which property he sold in the y ears 1803-4, and purchased the Belfast, Londonderry, and Newry theatres, becoming sole proprietor. This last speculation proving unfortunate, Bellamy accepted an engagement at Covent Garden Theatre for five years, and was also appointed a member of the Ancient and Vocal Concerts, Oratorios, he. In 1812 he was engaged at Drury Lane for five years, retaining his concert engagements and the country meetings, in conjunction with Bartleman, who was his friend and contemporary (man and boy) until the day of his death ; upon which event Bellamy was appointed principal bass singer of the Ancient Concerts. The also held the appointment of master of the choir

of his Catholic majesty's chapel, under the Spanish embassy, to which he was nominated in the year 1819. Bellamy had not time to write for publication, all his hours unoccupied in public performances having been engaged in tuition, in the conduct of his music academy, established upon the Logierian system, since the year 1818.