Biography

Willoughby Hunter Weiss (1820-67), singer and composer, was the son of Willoughby Gaspard Weiss, flute teacher and music publisher at Liverpool. He was a pupil of Sir George Smart and Michael Balfe, sang in opera and concerts, excelled as a singer of oratorios, and first appeared in a festival at Gloucester , in 1844. He set to music Long-fellow's poem The village blacksmith, which became very popular and brought him an income. He married (1845) Georgina Ansell Barrett (1826-80), singer, and had a daughter, Angelique Weiss (Mrs. Graham).