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Avison's Contemporaries
William Herschel,
 originally from Hanover, settled in England in 1756 and moved to Sunderland in 1761 when Avison immediately engaged him as first violin and soloist. He only played for one season before moving to Leeds to become musical director of a concert series, and then on to Bath 1766.
From the 1770s Herschel concentrated increasingly on astronomy, making his own telescopes and in 1781 discovered Uranus - the first planet to be discovered telescopically. George III appointed him his private astronomer and knighted him in 1816.
William Shield,
 1748-1829, a musician's son from Swalwell, apprenticed to a boat builder at South Shields, studied music with Avison and played violin at the subscription concerts. On Avison's death he was appointed manager of the concert series for two seasons.
In 1772 Shield went to London and became principal viola in Giardini's Opera Orchestra. He was highly successful as a theatrical composer and in 1817 was appointed Master of The Kings Music. While he is buried in Westminster Abbey a memorial to Shield can be seen in the churchyard at Whickham.
Thomas Bewick,
 1753-1828, the pioneering wood engraver from Northumberland designed the tickets for Avison's Subscription Concerts.
Bewick was born in Cherryburn, Northumberland, and apprenticed to the engraver Ralph Beilby (1743-1817) of Newcastle. Like Avison he spent his working life in Newcastle.
For more information on the life and work of Thomas Bewick visit the Bewick Society website.
Ralph Beilby
 is best known for being the master to apprentice Thomas Bewick but he too played in Mr Avison's orchestra, as well as participating in the impromptu Sunday evening concerts held in the music room built onto the Newcastle Vicarage.
Charles Avison's music was popular throughout the land. John Wesley, who preached in Newcastle, mentions him in his journal. Avison also appears in other literary works including Laurence Sterne's 'Tristram Shandy' and, later, tributed in Robert Browning's poetry.
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