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THEATRE ROYAL, DUBLIN. 85
Dublin with success. Richard Powell was well-known as a
flautist of first-rate capabilities. He was, indeed, the best
local performer on the flute that Dublin, to that period,
had " turned out "
a diligent and conscientious student.
He possessed a beautiful tone, perfect intonation, and
finished execution. He frequently practised from eight
to ten hours a-day, never allowing a difficulty to conquer
him. He would persevere at a few bars for weeks, to
make them perfect. He was the first to perform in
Dublin the beautiful flute obligato in the charming three-
eight " Ranz de Vache " movement in the overture to
" "
William Tell at the Anacreontic Society. He served
his apprenticeship to a well-known musician in Dublin,
familiarly called " Tommy Robinson," and sometimes
" The Doctor ;" for although he had never obtained the
degree of Mus. Doc., his friends considered him worthy
of the title,
Richard Powell was also a fair organist, having ob-
tained his knowledge of the king of instruments from
" The Doctor," who was organist of Bride's Church.
Powell was also a perfect French scholar, speaking the
language with fluency. He was professor of that language
in Edinburgh. Mazzocchi was oboist of the Theatre
Royal a thorough master of his difficult instrument.
Edward Ford (tenor) will be remembered by Hawkins-
street playgoers as the most respectable member of
the orchestra, where he was principal viola, from about
1823 until his death, only a few years since. He
was brother to Miss Ford, the original Agnes in " Der
Freischutz," in Hawkins-street. This lady possessed a