Andrew Ashe

Alfred Webb

A Compendium of Irish Biography

1878

Ashe, Andrew, a celebrated flautist, was born in Lisburn about 1758. He was sent to school at Woolwich, where he learned the first principles of music. On account of reverses of fortune, his parents were about removing him, when Count Bentick adopted the lad, took him to the Continent, and secured for him a musical education. He devoted himself to the flute, and soon rose to be principal player in Brussels, Dublin, and London, successively — being one of the first to use the additional keys. After engagements in the Italian opera, in 1810 he became director of the Bath concerts. He spent the last years of his life in retirement in Dublin, and died in 1838. His wife and daughter were celebrated pianists.

Sources

35. Biographical Dictionary: John Cassell. London, N.D.

250. Musiciens, Biographie Universelle des: F. J. Fetis. 8 vols. Paris, 1860-'5.

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