Role

:

Composer

Country

:

United States of America

Birth

:

July 12, 1801

Death

:

October 7, 1890

Period

:

Romantic

Genre

:

Vocal

 

John Hill Hewitt was an American composer, poet, and playwright who lived during the 19th century. He was born on July 11, 1801, in New York City, to parents who were both involved in the arts. His father, James Hewitt, was a composer and music publisher, while his mother, Sophia Hewitt, was a singer and actress. Growing up in a musical family, John Hill Hewitt showed an early interest in music and began composing at a young age. He received his formal education at Columbia College in New York City, where he studied music and literature. After completing his studies, he worked as a music teacher and composer in New York City. In 1823, John Hill Hewitt moved to Charleston, South Carolina, where he continued to work as a music teacher and composer. He quickly became involved in the local music scene and began composing music for the theater. His first major success came in 1828, when his opera "Gonzalvo de Cordova" was performed in Charleston to great acclaim. Over the next several years, John Hill Hewitt continued to compose music for the theater, including operas, musicals, and plays. He also wrote poetry and plays, and was a prolific writer of essays and articles on music and literature. In 1835, he moved to Mobile, Alabama, where he continued to work as a composer and music teacher. One of John Hill Hewitt's most famous works is his song "The Minstrel's Return'd from the War," which was first published in 1830. The song became very popular and was widely performed throughout the United States. It is still considered one of the most important songs of the early American minstrel tradition. In addition to his work as a composer, John Hill Hewitt was also a prominent figure in the American theater scene. He wrote several plays, including "The Gipsy's Warning" and "The Widow's Victim," which were performed in theaters throughout the country. He also worked as a theater manager and producer, and was involved in the founding of several theaters in the South. Despite his success as a composer and playwright, John Hill Hewitt faced financial difficulties throughout his life. He was often forced to sell the rights to his compositions in order to make ends meet, and he struggled to support his family. In 1845, he moved to New Orleans, where he continued to work as a composer and music teacher. John Hill Hewitt's later years were marked by illness and financial hardship. He suffered from tuberculosis and was often unable to work. He died on October 7, 1890, in Baltimore, Maryland, at the age of 89. Despite the challenges he faced, John Hill Hewitt left a lasting legacy in American music and theater. His compositions and plays were widely performed during his lifetime, and his influence can still be seen in the work of many American composers and playwrights today.

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