Abigail Betts
Abigail Betts | |
|---|---|
with Mary Cawse in 1828 (by Alfred Edward Chalon) | |
| Born | 1800 |
| Died | 4 May 1866 (aged 65–66) |
| Known for | Singing |
Abigail Betts known as Miss Betts (1800 – 4 May 1866) was a British singer who took leading roles at London theatres.
Life
Betts was probably born in London as she was baptised at St Giles-in-the-Fields in Holborn. Her family were violin makers and her uncles business was left to her father and her brothers continued the business.[1]
In about 1828 Alfred Edward Chalon created a watercolour of her and the singer Mary Cawse taken from their English Opera House performance of "Tit For Tat" in 1828. Tit for Tat was based on Mozart's Cosi Fan Tulle. Chalon's watercolour is in the National Portrait Gallery in London.[2]
Her best role was said to have been as the Gypsy Queen in Michael William Balfe's very successful opera The Bohemian Girl. She first took the role in 1843 when it was first presented at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. This was not the main role in the opera but she was known for this creation.[3]
Death and private life
Betts died at her home in 1866 in Kennington Green. She had never married. There is a supposition that she was the mistress of the Marquess of Anglesey.
References
- ^ Lamb, Andrew (2026-02-12), "Betts, Abigail Elizabeth (bap. 1800, d. 1866), singer", Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, doi:10.1093/odnb/9780198614128.013.90000382558, ISBN 978-0-19-861412-8, retrieved 2026-02-25
{{citation}}: CS1 maint: work parameter with ISBN (link) - ^ "Mary Giovanna Cawse - National Portrait Gallery". www.npg.org.uk. Retrieved 2026-02-25.
- ^ Ganzl, Kurt (2017-09-29). Victorian Vocalists. Routledge. ISBN 978-1-351-59365-6.