More about Jesse Hackett

From the Black Country Bugle

Mr Jesse Hackett was obviously a very talented singer who could let notes flow with apparent ease, thus enthralling audiences nationwide. With his popularity, as with most artists, he had this calling card printed giving justification that he was "The finest Tenor in the Midlands." "Mr Jesse Hackett sang "Sound an Alarm" arousing a tumultuous applause that would not brook denial of repetition" - Birmingham Gazette R.J. Buckley Esq, January 1st 1910. "Elijah - Mr Hackett was the best of the four 'Artistes'" - Bournemouth Times, March 26th 1910. "Mr Jesse Hackett was compelled to give double encores" - Glasgow News, August 20th 1910. Maybe this was all due to working hard mastering scales and exercising in his youth so that he could use his voice to great effect, captivating audiences on his grand tour. They had obviously decided they liked his kind of vocal music and his style. An air of melancholy and piety may have hung over these concerts, however that was the fashion of the day, therefore we may assume he devoted himself to religious music and serious opera in a grand manner.How hard was it for the Halesowen Amateur Operatic Society to follow in the footsteps of such a talented tenor from their home town? They could all probably carry a love song or a jaunty tune but had they found the same secret talent within their voices as in the beautiful tones of Mr Jesse Hackett?