2-913-725 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Mr. Henry Russell - from a daguerreotype by Mayall, 1854. British singer. 'The novelty of his style, the beauty and expression of his melodies, the interesting subjects and fine poetry of his songs, his impressive manner and vocal power, attracted immediate and general attention...He has a manly intellect as well as a poetical spirit, and despises the namby-pamby verses which serve as food for ths musicians of the day...His melodies are technically pure and regular; they are exquisitely adapted to the spirit and sentiment of the poetry; they at once seize the ear, and are never forgotten; they are heard in our drawing-rooms, in our theatres, in our streets, in our fields, throughout the empire...He is gifted by nature with a fine voice - rich, mellow, and sufficiently flexible for every purpose of execution'. From "Illustrated London News", 1854.