Background
He was born in Boston, Lincolnshire, the fourth son of the Review Field Flowers.
He was born in Boston, Lincolnshire, the fourth son of the Review Field Flowers.
He studied music in Germany with Christian Heinrich Rinck and Franz Xaver Schnyder von Wartensee, and went on to graduate Bachelor of Music from Lincoln College, Oxford, in 1839. In 1865 he obtained Doctor of Music.
He founded a society to promote counterpoint, and a music school for young singers. In 1850 (Musical World, p 650) he announced that he would cultivate and bring forward English vocal talent by means of a British school of vocalization. He later organized concerts for his pupils.
One of the concerts, in the Hanover Square Rooms, was reviewed in the Musical World in 1852: "This gentleman, having devoted his attention to the study of the voice, and the philosophy of the art of singing, has founded a class of vocalization, from which he invites the public to anticipate the most important results.
His first practical appeal consisted of an entertainment in which his pupils, under his own direction, performed a selection of music from the most classical master. There were choruses, duets and solos.
Of Mr. Flowers" system we are not yet enabled to give an opinion.
But it is fair to state that he has discovered and brought forward some very remarkable voices." The school of vocalization did not endure. Mrs Howard Paul may be cited as having been its most distinguished member.
A more generally scientific feeling infused among musicians, would go far to gain from them that respect from the members of other professions, which assuredly they do not now enjoy.