George
Bridgetower was born in Biala, Poland
on 29th February, 1780. His father, Frederich Bridgetower came from
Africa and his mother, Ann Bridgetower, from Germany.
As
a young man Bridgetower showed extraordinary musical talent and made
his professional debut in Paris at the age of nine when he played
a violin concerto by the Italian composer Giovanni Giornovichi. The
following year he moved to London.
The
Prince of Wales (the future George
IV)
was very impressed with Bridgewater and paid his father £25
to become his guardian. The Prince of Wales employed leading musicians
to teach Bridgewater musical theory. He also arranged for him to give
concerts as a solo violinist at the Convent Garden, Drury Lane and
Haymarket theatres. For the next 14 years Bridgewater held the post
of first violinist in the Prince of Wales's private orchestra that
performed at his home in London and at
the Royal Pavilion.
In
1802 Bridgewater went on a concert tour of Germany
and
Austria. In May 1803 he met Ludwig von
Beethoven who was immensely impressed by his abilities and described
him as "a very able virtuoso and an absolute master of the instrument."
Bridgewater
obtained a degree of Bachelor of Music at Cambridge
University in June 1811. He composed very little work but continued
to perform in Europe for many years.
George
Bridgetower
died in Peckham, London,
on 20th February, 1860.
