Not currently on display at the V&A

Mr Braham as Prince Orlando

Print
01/11/1828 (published)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

The immensely successful tenor John Braham (1777?-1856) of whom it was said: 'there is no tenor like Braham in Italy' (The Harmonico, 1832) is seen here as Prince Orlando in the original production of Thomas Dibden’s comic opera The Cabinet with music by William Reeve, John Moorehead, John Braham, Domenico Corri and John Day, that opened at the Theatre Royal Covent Garden on 9th February 1802.

The Cabinet told the story of Lorenzo, son of Count Curvoso, who was in love with Leonora, while Prince Orlando and the rich old Marquis de Grand Chateau vied for the favours of Constantia, the Count’s daughter. The title on the print notes that it was produced by the engraver Robert Dighton especially for his friend and author of the piece. Thomas Dibdin.

Short and swarthy, John Braham, the son of John and Esther Abrahams, was born in London and studied with the tenor Michael Leoni, and later with Venanzio Rauzzini. He made his first appearance at Covent Garden Theatre as an eleven-year old on 21 April 1787 billed as Braham, a version of his real name Abrahams. By 1796 when he appeared at the King's Theatre, Braham was England's leading tenor. His reputation as a singer was enhanced by a successful continental tour from 1797 until 1801 with the famous soprano Nancy Storace with whom he had a long relationship and with whom he performed in Paris to an audience that included Napoleon and Josephine, and with whom he met Horatio Nelson and Emma Hamilton in Leghorn in 1799. Praised for his virtuoso technique, clear enunciation and dramatic interpretation of music, his acting was often forgiven for the quality of his singing, Sir Walter Scott once remarking that 'Braham was a beast of an actor but an angel of a singer'.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleMr Braham as Prince Orlando (assigned by artist)
Materials and techniques
Engraving, printed ink on paper
Brief description
John Braham (1777-1856) as Prince Orlando in Thomas Dibdin's comic opera The Cabinet, Theatre Royal Covent Garden 9 February 1802. Hand-coloured etching by Thomas Wageman after Thomas Woolnoth, published by John Cumberland 1 November 1828. Harry Beard Collection.
Physical description
Full-length image of John Braham in tunic and boots as Prince Orlando in Thomas Dibden's comic opera The Cabinet, standing, holding his plumed hat in his left hand, his right hand pointing upwards
Dimensions
  • Height: 11.5cm
  • Width: 7cm
Marks and inscriptions
'MR BRAHAM AS PRINCE ORLANDO' (Printed below portrait)
Credit line
Harry R. Beard Collection, given by Isobel Beard.
Subject depicted
Literary referenceAs You Like It
Summary
The immensely successful tenor John Braham (1777?-1856) of whom it was said: 'there is no tenor like Braham in Italy' (The Harmonico, 1832) is seen here as Prince Orlando in the original production of Thomas Dibden’s comic opera The Cabinet with music by William Reeve, John Moorehead, John Braham, Domenico Corri and John Day, that opened at the Theatre Royal Covent Garden on 9th February 1802.

The Cabinet told the story of Lorenzo, son of Count Curvoso, who was in love with Leonora, while Prince Orlando and the rich old Marquis de Grand Chateau vied for the favours of Constantia, the Count’s daughter. The title on the print notes that it was produced by the engraver Robert Dighton especially for his friend and author of the piece. Thomas Dibdin.

Short and swarthy, John Braham, the son of John and Esther Abrahams, was born in London and studied with the tenor Michael Leoni, and later with Venanzio Rauzzini. He made his first appearance at Covent Garden Theatre as an eleven-year old on 21 April 1787 billed as Braham, a version of his real name Abrahams. By 1796 when he appeared at the King's Theatre, Braham was England's leading tenor. His reputation as a singer was enhanced by a successful continental tour from 1797 until 1801 with the famous soprano Nancy Storace with whom he had a long relationship and with whom he performed in Paris to an audience that included Napoleon and Josephine, and with whom he met Horatio Nelson and Emma Hamilton in Leghorn in 1799. Praised for his virtuoso technique, clear enunciation and dramatic interpretation of music, his acting was often forgiven for the quality of his singing, Sir Walter Scott once remarking that 'Braham was a beast of an actor but an angel of a singer'.
Associated objects
Other number
Collection
Accession number
S.1504-2012

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Record createdNovember 29, 2012
Record URL
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