Elizabeth Inverarity
Elizabeth Inverarity, later "Mrs. Charles T. Martyn" (born Edinburgh, 23 March 1813; died Newcastle-on-Tyne, 27 December 1846), was a Scottish opera soprano, popular singer and actress of the early 19th century, in England and in America. She also composed some ballads with her husband Charles Martyn, a bass from Bristol.
After showing early promise as a singer in Edinburgh, she became a student of Sir George Smart, a prominent conductor and vocal instructor.
She debuted at Covent Garden in Rossini's Cinderella[1] (14 December 1830[2]) and also appeared in Spohr's "Azor and Zemira" (1831), Meyerbeer's "Robert le diable" (1832), and Rossini's The Maid of Judah (1832),[3][4] among other productions.
After her marriage in 1834, she and her husband continued to perform, in England and America, for a number of years. In 1839 the Martyns premiered Beethoven's Fidelio in America. They later became music teachers in Newcastle.[5]
She was a grandniece of the Scottish poet Robert Fergusson.[6]
An engraving (by John Henry Robinson) of her exists, from a portrait by Alfred Edward Chalon.[7] The portrait was exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1839.[8] Another engraving was by William Sharp from a portrait by William Booth.[9]
References
- ↑ Not La Cenerentola, but a three-act comedy with music from that and other Rossini operas – see Simon Henry Gage, The Theatrical observer and, Daily bills of the play (Volume 1831 v.1 no.2823-2976:(1 January 1831 – 30 June 1831))
- ↑ The Dramatic Magazine, January 1831, p. 380
- ↑ The Theatrical observer and, Daily bills of the play (Volume 1832 v. 3 no.3361-3445:(22 September 1832 – 31 December 1832))
- ↑ Carlyle Letters Online, footnote #17
- ↑ The Gentleman's Magazine, Volume 181 (January 1847), p. 323, Martyn's obituary
- ↑ Scottish Biographical Dictionary, Robert Chambers, Volume 2, part 2, Glascow, Blackie & Sons, 1836, article "Robert Fergusson", p. 311
- ↑ National Portrait Gallery image of Martyn engraving
- ↑ The Exhibition of the Royal Academy, 1839, London, W. Clowes and Sons, p. 31
- ↑ Sharpe/Booth engraving at Victoria and Albert Museum