He showed an early talent for the violin, and, after appearing at Gravesend as an infant prodigy, he entered in 1844 the Royal Academy of Music, where he studied under Prosper Sainton, and in 1845 took the King's Scholarship.
On leaving the institution he soon became known as a concert violinist, and was taken up first by Edward James Loder, and then by Louis-Antoine Jullien, with whom he toured in America.
On the opening of the Alexandra Palace in 1873 he was appointed musical director, and in that capacity promoted new compositions by British composers, and revived forgotten works, such as Handel's Esther and Susanna.
In 1878 he conducted the orchestral concerts of Jenny Viard-Louis, at which several important works were heard for the first time in England.
He was appointed principal of the Guildhall School of Music in 1880, and held that post until his death in South Kensington on 26 December 1891.