James Bartleman

James Bartleman (1769–1821), was an English bass singer who performed at the Concerts of Ancient Music and revived the solo songs of Henry Purcell.

Life Bartleman was born 19 September 1769. He was educated under Dr. Cooke, of Westminster, and became a chorister in the abbey. He distinguished himself even as a boy singer, and by his gentle, amiable disposition, became a great favourite not only with his master, but also with Sir John Hawkins, whose daughter Laetitia mentions him frequently in her Anecdotes with admiration of his talents and character. where he held the post of leading bass. Though he is usually called a bass singer, his voice seems to have had rather the character of a baritone, for a contemporary critic, in the London Magazine for 1820 speaks of its being incomparably more agreeable and effective than a bass, and also compares it to the violoncello. His compass was of unusual extent, from E below the bass stave to G above it. The same critic tells us that his intonation was wonderfully true, and that his richness and equality of tone resulted in part from his peculiarities of pronunciation; as instances of which, the words "die" and "smile" are given as "doy"’ and "smawele".