_John Braham_, (or more correctly _Abraham_,) was born of Jewish parents, in London, A.D. 1774. Early left an orphan, he was brought up by Leoni, a celebrated Italian Singer, and so well taught by him, was he, that he came out, as a public vocalist, before he was eleven years old, when he sang _bravura_ songs, which had been written for Madame Mara. After singing, both in English, and Italian, Opera, he went to Italy--and, after his return, he appeared at Covent Garden, in 1801. He died in 1856. _Michael Kelly_ was both composer, and singer, but he cannot take rank with either Incledon, or Braham. He made his first appearance on the stage of the Metropolis, at Drury Lane, in 1787. He composed elegant, and pretty, airs, and he sang nicely, but many of his compositions are said to have had their origin in Italian, and German, sources. This gave rise to a _bon mot_ of Sheridan's, when he heard that Kelly had turned wine merchant--he suggested that, over his door, should be painted, "Michael Kelly, composer of wine, and importer of music." Died 1826. [Illustration: Ballet at the King's Theatre,--Pantheon,--1791.] Far more eminent than he, as composers, were _Arnold_, _Shield_, _Storacé_, _Linley_, and _Jackson_. _Samuel Arnold_, Mus. Doc., was born in 1740--and had the advantage of studying music under Nares. He was, during his lifetime, both organist to the King, and to Westminster Abbey, wrote several Oratorios, and published selections of sacred music--but it is as a composer for the theatre, that we have to consider him. When only twenty-three years of age, he was appointed composer to Covent Garden Theatre, and his earliest operas were there produced. In 1776, he filled the same position with regard to the Haymarket, and this versatile genius composed Operas, and Oratorios, until his death in 1802. _William Shield_ (born in 1754) carved his own way up to the eminence, which he enjoyed, in his profession. Apprenticed to a boatbuilder, he gave up that business, as soon as he was out of his time: and, being musical, and, playing well on the violin, he soon obtained a situation at Scarborough, as leader of Concerts there, and gained such a reputation, that he was offered, and accepted, the position of first Viola, at the Italian Opera House. His first theatrical work was composing the Music, (in 1778), to "The Flitch of Bacon." He wrote the music for many other plays--and, on the death of Sir W. Parsons, he gained the appointment of "Master of his Majesty's Musicians in ordinary." He died in 1829. In spite of his foreign name, Stephen Storacé, was born in England, although of Italian parentage. He was early sent to Italy, and studied at the Conservatorio of St. Onophris, at Naples, in 1787, being then 24 years of age. He returned to England, and, soon afterwards, was appointed Composer to Drury Lane; and, up to his death, in 1796, he was actively engaged on Operas, &c.