Anna Maria Crouch facts for kids
Anna Maria Crouch (born April 20, 1763 – died October 2, 1805) was a well-known singer and stage actress in London's theatres. She was sometimes called Mrs. Crouch. For a short time, she had a special connection with George, Prince of Wales.
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A Star on Stage: Anna Maria Crouch's Career
Anna Maria Phillips, as she was born, started performing on stage as a child. She was very good at both acting and singing.
Early Days and Big Debut
She learned a lot from Thomas Linley, a famous musician. In 1780, she made her first big appearance at the Drury Lane theatre. She played the role of Mandane in Thomas Arne's opera Artaxerxes. After this, she became a main performer in the theatre's regular group. This group was managed by Sheridan and Linley.
Famous Roles and Partnerships
In 1781, Anna Maria had another great success. She played the main female character in Charles Dibdin's play Lionel and Clarissa. She was also known for her roles as Ophelia, Olivia, and Celia. Her performance as Polly Peachum in The Beggar's Opera was very popular.
In 1787, she began working closely with the Irish actor and singer, Michael Kelly. He had just arrived in London with Stephen and Nancy Storace from Vienna. They became a famous duo on stage.
Personal Life and Later Years
Anna Maria Crouch's life off stage also had some interesting moments.
Marriage and Relationships
In 1784, she married a naval officer named Crouch. Later, in 1790, she was in Brighton to perform at the opening of the Duke Street Theatre. By 1791, her marriage was having problems. She became very close with Michael Kelly, her stage partner.
Around this time, she also had a brief connection with the Prince of Wales. This happened while he was living with Maria Anne Fitzherbert. Anna Maria received some money from the Prince when their connection ended. After she separated from her husband in 1791, her close partnership with Michael Kelly became widely known.
Her Final Days
Anna Maria Crouch passed away suddenly on October 2, 1805, in Brighton. The exact reason for her death is not known. Some reports suggest it might have been due to a carriage accident. She is buried at St Nicholas Of Myra Church in Brighton. Michael Kelly paid for a special monument there to remember her. This monument is part of a historical project called "Historic England, Images of England."
Images for kids
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A portrait of Anna Maria Crouch.
