For a period of nearly fifteen years John Abraham Fisher (1744-1806) was a figure of prominence in the musical life of 18th-century London. Fisher studied with Thomas Pinto and began working as a violinist in London theatre orchestras, making his debut at the King's Theatre on 25 January 1765. His theatrical music enjoyed considerable success but, like that of most English-born composers, Fisher's music did not find a place in the winter concerts series in London which were often organised by continental musicians and which even more often featured the music of continental composers. His songs and symphonic works were performed in the concerts of the summer pleasure gardens of London, especially at Vauxhall Gardens where Fisher led the orchestra for a time. His extensive musical travels took him all over the continent and even as far-a-field as Russia; he spent his final years in Dublin.