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Observer, Volume 2, Issue 37, 28 May 1881, Page 397

Mr. Angelo Forrest, whose portrait appears above, was born at Clitheroe, in the county of Lancaster. As in the case of Handel, the father opposed the son's entry into the musical world. But the h're of the youth was not to be quenched, and, like his immortal predecessor, he had recourse to surreptitious practice in the divine science to which lie was impelled. After grappling bravely, ami patiently with the difficulties that beset the path of eve.iy beginner, the lad was placed under Mr. Samuel Wood, the organist of the Roman Catholic Church at Clitheroe, and a sound musician, for instruction in pianoforte playing. YoungForrest's next step was to be bound as an articled pupil to that profound theorist the late H. J. Bailey, deputy organist of Ely Cathedral. Subsequently Mr. Forrest took finishing lessons from the celebrated Charles Halle, and'ultimately, after attaining to the proud position of chief musician in Sunderland (pop. 125,000), came out to the colonies. The English musical critics hold a very high opinion of Mr. Forrest. One of them writing to the Sunderland Daily Times, of June 7th. 1877, says : — "We do not hesitate to assert that Mr. Angelo Forrest is the greatest musician in our midst. This is saying much. It is equivalent to saying that in the difficult and infinite art and science of music he takes precedence of more than one hundred thousand people. Yet we maintain the position none the less strongly. Fortunately, however, the matter does not rest on mere assertion, inasmuch as every important work which he does, serves as a proof ; whilst the public itself has shown in unmistakable ways that it regards him as Sunderland's chief musician."