Henry Twiselton Elliston
Encyclopedia
Henry Twiselton Elliston (1801?-1864), was an English musical composer and inventor.
Elliston was born in or about 1801, the second son of Robert William Elliston
, and resided during most of his life at Leamington, where his father had formerly leased the theatre. Having decided on adopting music as his profession, he received a careful training, and became a sound theoretical musician, and an able performer on the organ and several other instruments. On his father presenting an organ to the parish church of Leamington, Elliston was elected organist, and held the post till his death. In the subsequent enlargement of the organ he exhibited considerable mechanical ingenuity, and invented a transposing piano on a new and simple plan. He was an early member of the choral society of Leamington, and whilst he was associated with it the society produced the 'Messiah' and other great works during a three days' musical festival. Elliston himself built the music hall in Bath Street, With his brother William, who emigrated to Australia, he established the County Library. During the time that he and his brother were in partnership they gave concerts on an extensive scale. Subsequently Elliston was lessee of the royal assembly rooms. Beyond some admired church services he composed little. In September 1683 he was appointed librarian of the free public library at Leamington. He died at Leamington 19 April 1864, aged 63, and was buried in the cemetery.
Elliston was born in or about 1801, the second son of Robert William Elliston
Robert William Elliston
Robert William Elliston was an English actor and theatre manager.He was born in London, the son of a watchmaker. He was educated at St Paul's School, but ran away from home and made his first appearance on the stage as Tressel in Richard III at Bath in 1791...
, and resided during most of his life at Leamington, where his father had formerly leased the theatre. Having decided on adopting music as his profession, he received a careful training, and became a sound theoretical musician, and an able performer on the organ and several other instruments. On his father presenting an organ to the parish church of Leamington, Elliston was elected organist, and held the post till his death. In the subsequent enlargement of the organ he exhibited considerable mechanical ingenuity, and invented a transposing piano on a new and simple plan. He was an early member of the choral society of Leamington, and whilst he was associated with it the society produced the 'Messiah' and other great works during a three days' musical festival. Elliston himself built the music hall in Bath Street, With his brother William, who emigrated to Australia, he established the County Library. During the time that he and his brother were in partnership they gave concerts on an extensive scale. Subsequently Elliston was lessee of the royal assembly rooms. Beyond some admired church services he composed little. In September 1683 he was appointed librarian of the free public library at Leamington. He died at Leamington 19 April 1864, aged 63, and was buried in the cemetery.