Odoardo Barri (13 September 1844 – 21 January 1920) was the pseudonym of Edward Slater.[1] He was born in Dublin and became a composer, music teacher and singer in Italy and Spain.[2] After working in Italy and Spain, he opened the Odoardo Barri School of Voice Culture in London in 1882,[3] and ran it until his death. Several noted singers studied under Barri and some went on to teach, e.g. John Trew Gray, who taught in Toronto[4] and San Diego.[5]
Barri performed widely and over many years in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland, e.g. at Hastings on the pier;[6] in City Hall, Glasgow;[7] Surrey Masonic Hall;[8] Trowbridge,[9] Bloomsbury[10] and Belfast,[11] either alone or with his wife.
Barri's most notable composition was "The Old Brigade" with words by Frederick Weatherly; the copyright for the work was sold in 1899 for £357.[12] His other works include a Mass for the King of Spain and many songs, including "The Shadow of the Cross", "Saved From the Storm", "The Good Shepherd", "The Armourer’s Gift" and "Birdie’s Nest". He also wrote three operettas, "M.D." (1879), "Our Amateur Theatricals" (1894) and "That Terrible Turk" (1898). A list of 656 of Barri's songs and other works is available online.[13] Barri also worked as a theatre manager.