Composer. He received recognition as an English composer at the dawn of the 20th century, creating music for Edwardian comedies. Born Lionel John Alexander Monckton, the eldest son of four children, his father, Sir John Braddick Monckton, was a barrister and Town Clerk of London and his mother was an amateur actress. His sister was Justina Maria Moore, who was a successful novelist, using the penname of Martin J. Pritchard. While a law student at Oriel College in Oxford, he composed his first productions for a school dramatic society. He was called to the bar on January 26, 1885, yet he did not practice law, instead became a musical and theater critic for the newspaper, "Daily Telegraph." He co-collaborated first with John Crook in the burlesque, "Claude Du-Val," which opened on September 25, 1894. This followed with "Kitty Grey" opening on September 7, 1901, "A Country Girl" opening on January 18, 1902 and "The Cingalee" opening on May 14, 1904. Collaborating with American-born composer, Howard Talbot, he created "The Arcadians," opening on April 28, 1909, which was a world-wide success and considered his best work with 809 performances. Besides "Country Girl" and The Cingalee," he created alone "The Quaker Girl" opening on November 5, 1910. Collaborating once more with Talbot, he produced "The Mousme" opening on September 9, 1911 and "The Boy" opening on September 14, 1917 with 801 performances, ending his career with a very successful production. With American music becoming popular on British stages, he retired from composing. In 1902, he married the beautiful Gertie Millar, a very successful actress, who was in many of his productions. He wrote songs especially for her to perform. At one point his wife requested a divorce, but he refused. After his death, his wife married the widower, William Humble Ward, 2nd Earl of Dudley, who became in 1908 the fourth Governor-General of Australia.
Composer. He received recognition as an English composer at the dawn of the 20th century, creating music for Edwardian comedies. Born Lionel John Alexander Monckton, the eldest son of four children, his father, Sir John Braddick Monckton, was a barrister and Town Clerk of London and his mother was an amateur actress. His sister was Justina Maria Moore, who was a successful novelist, using the penname of Martin J. Pritchard. While a law student at Oriel College in Oxford, he composed his first productions for a school dramatic society. He was called to the bar on January 26, 1885, yet he did not practice law, instead became a musical and theater critic for the newspaper, "Daily Telegraph." He co-collaborated first with John Crook in the burlesque, "Claude Du-Val," which opened on September 25, 1894. This followed with "Kitty Grey" opening on September 7, 1901, "A Country Girl" opening on January 18, 1902 and "The Cingalee" opening on May 14, 1904. Collaborating with American-born composer, Howard Talbot, he created "The Arcadians," opening on April 28, 1909, which was a world-wide success and considered his best work with 809 performances. Besides "Country Girl" and The Cingalee," he created alone "The Quaker Girl" opening on November 5, 1910. Collaborating once more with Talbot, he produced "The Mousme" opening on September 9, 1911 and "The Boy" opening on September 14, 1917 with 801 performances, ending his career with a very successful production. With American music becoming popular on British stages, he retired from composing. In 1902, he married the beautiful Gertie Millar, a very successful actress, who was in many of his productions. He wrote songs especially for her to perform. At one point his wife requested a divorce, but he refused. After his death, his wife married the widower, William Humble Ward, 2nd Earl of Dudley, who became in 1908 the fourth Governor-General of Australia.
Bio by: Linda Davis
Inscription
MUSICIAL COMPOSER
Family Members
Siblings
Advertisement
See more Monckton memorials in:
Explore more
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
