Battishill, Jonathan

1738-1801

English composer and organist. At the age of nine he became a chorister in St. Paul's Cathedral, under William Savage, and was later his pupil. He became one of the best performers on the organ in the country and in 1764 became organist of several united London parishes. Battishill composed with Michael Arne the music for the opera of Almena and in the same year, 1764, produced alone the music for a pantomime, The Rites of Hecate. He also wrote much church music, many glees, catches and songs and many hymns and psalm tunes. Battishill's church music was considered among the best of his time and is especially marked for its strength and vigor. One of Battishill's popular songs was Kate of Aberdeen, written for Ranelagh Gardens.