Charke, Richard 1704-1738 England, London - Jamaica
violinist, he first made fame as actor and dancing master in London, 3.feb.1729 at St Martins London he married the extravagant and transvestite actress Charlotte Cibber (London 13.jan.1712-6.apr.1760), Richard was a spendthrift, gambler, philanderer and continually sponged upon her, by the time of birth of their daughter Katherine 'Kitty' November 1730 Charlotte quitted him on charge of excessive irregularity, 1728-1735 he was rehearsal violinist and leader of the orchestra at Drury Lane Theatre London where he also gave solo concerts, 1736 he subscribed to Handel's opera Atalanta, 1736 to avoid imprisonment because of gambling debts he fled to Jamaica where he died of disorders caused by his dissipated habits, 1755 Charlotte published her autobiography including the details of her ill-fated marriage

[3.feb.1729 they made notice of the banns in church, the actual date of marriage is unknown ; on this date Charlotte was 17 so she was born 1712]

Title	Parts

Medley Overture from Harlequin restor'd from the pantomime Harlequin restored or The country revels, music by Richard Charke and Thomas Arne. Drury Lane Theatre, London 20mar1732 Parley of Instruments / Peter Holman. Hyperion 67115
[] Sonata. 2 Violins, viola, 2 oboes and bass ms Konigliche Musikaliensammlung, Koniglichen Bibliothek Dresden
[] Charke's hornpipe
[] What class in life tho' ne' er so great. Song. c1730 in Watts "The Music Miscellany"
[] The humours of Oxford. Comedy. London 1730 libretto James Miller	[] - Come, come let us drink [] - The provident damsel pub T. Cross, London ms British Museum London, Library of Congress Washington DC
[] The Festival. Ballad opera. 1734 starring the actress Susannah Maria Arne Cibber sister of Thomas Arne
[] The lovers opera. 1729 libretto W. R. Chetwood
[] The generous Freemason. Opera. 1730 libretto W. R. Chetwood
[] Coal black joak "Of all the girls in our town". Voice and continuo (with a version for the flute). London c1730 sung by Mr Charke in the Beggar's wedding ms British Museum
[] Sweet linnets on every spray. Duet. High voice and continuo (with a version for the German flute). London c1735 ms British Museum London, King's College Cambridge, Glasgow University, Bodleian Library Oxford, Library of Congress Washington DC

2002-10-09 21:10:38