Charles Benjamin Incledon

Background

Incledon was born on February 5, 1763 in Cornwall, England, the son of a doctor in St Keverne, Cornwall.

Education

Incledon was educated at Blundell's School and as a choirboy and soloist at Exeter Cathedral, under the tuition of organist and composer William Jackson. When of age he joined the Navy, and after two years' active service his fine tenor voice was 'discovered' by Admiral Hervey during a voyage to Saint Lucia, and, being generally admired in the Fleet, won the favour of Admiral Pigot.

Career

Incledon's fine tenor voice attracted general attention, and in 1783 he determined to seek his fortune on the stage. After various provincial appearances he made a great success in 1790 at Covent Garden, and thenceforth was the principal English tenor of his day. He sang both in opera and in oratorio, but his chief popularity lay in his delivery of ballads, such as "Sally in our Alley, " "Blackeyed Susan, " "The Arethusa, " and anything of a bold and manly type. He toured in America in 1817; and on retiring from the operatic stage, at the English Opera House in April 1822, he travelled through the provinces with an entertainment called The Wandering Melodist. He retired to live at Prospect Place, in Brighton, where he founded and occupied himself with the Brighton Glee Club. He died of paralysis at Worcester on the 11th of February 1826.

Achievements

• Incledon was a famous English singer, known for his performances.

Connections

Friend:

William Shield

References

• Variety: containing original and selected songs in the favourite entertainment now performing by C. I. of Covent Garden Theatre, etc.