Henry Reinhold

Henry Reinhold (1690-1751), singer, reputed to be the son of the archbishop of Dresden, was born in Dresden about 1690. He early showed an aptitude for music, which his family apparently discouraged. But he secretly left Dresden to follow Handel, a friend of his reputed father, to London. There, through Handel's good offices, he came under the protection of
Frederick, Prince of Wales, who ultimately stood sponsor to his eldest son.

In 1731 Reinhold, described as Reynholds, was singing at the Haymarket Theatre. He sang in the first performance of Handel's Arminio at Covent Garden on 12 Jan. 1737, and created principal parts in many of Handel's operas and oratorios.

Reinhold was one of the founders, in 1738, of the Royal Society of Musicians. When vocal music was added to the other attractions of Vauxhall Gardens in 1745, Reinhold was one of the first singers engaged. He died in Chapel Street, Soho, on 14 May 1751, and on 20 May Garrick lent his theatre for a benefit performance for his widow and children.

His son, Frederick Charles Reinhold, was a famed singer.

Various names

According to his burial registration, Reinhold's name was 'Henry', but he was referred to as 'Theodore' by the Royal Society of Musicians, and as 'Thomas' by the Dictionary of National Biography (1885–1900).

ources

*"Reinhold, Henry" by Olive Baldwin and Thelma Wilson, in 'The New Grove Dictionary of Opera', ed. Stanley Sadie (London, 1992) ISBN 0-333-73432-7

References

*DNB