Elizabeth Clendining facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Elizabeth Clendining
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| Born |
Elizabeth Arnold
1767 Stourton with Gasper
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| Died | 16 July 1799 (aged 31–32) |
| Nationality | Great Britain |
| Occupation | Singer |
| Spouse(s) | William Clendinning |
Elizabeth Clendining (born Elizabeth Arnold, 1767 – 16 July 1799) was a talented British singer. She performed in both Ireland and England during her career.
Contents
Early Life and Career Start
Elizabeth Clendining was born Elizabeth Arnold in 1767. She was baptized in a place called Stourton with Gasper. Her father was a trained singer who performed in choirs.
In 1773, when Elizabeth was about six years old, her family moved to Dublin. Her father was going to sing at Dublin Cathedral. Sadly, he passed away in 1775.
By 1785, Elizabeth had become a singer herself. She earned 60 guineas (a type of old British money) for performing at the Rotunda Summer concerts. That same year, she married a surgeon named William Clendining.
A Break from the Stage
After getting married, Elizabeth decided to stop performing for a while. She and William had a daughter. However, she had to return to singing when her husband faced financial difficulties.
Returning to the Stage
In 1791, Elizabeth traveled to London. She stayed with a famous English singer named Elizabeth Billington, whom she had met in Dublin. Elizabeth Clendining had very little money, and her husband was in prison because of his debts. She also had a young family to support.
Finding Help in Bath
Elizabeth tried to find work in London but wasn't successful at first. Luckily, she had a contact in Bath. She had met a flutist named Andrew Ashe at the Dublin Rotunda concerts. He was now in charge of the concerts in Bath.
Andrew Ashe introduced Elizabeth to Venanzio Rauzzini, who was a singing teacher. Rauzzini gave her singing lessons and helped her get back on stage.
Success and Paying Debts
Elizabeth performed at a special concert for Andrew Ashe. After that, she was hired by the "Catch Club" in Bath. In 1792, she had her own special concert, called a "benefit concert." This concert raised enough money to pay off all her husband's debts.
Her husband was then released from prison in Dublin. He took a job as a ship's surgeon but sadly passed away in 1793 in Portsmouth.
Performing at Covent Garden
In 1792, a composer named William Shield wrote a part just for Elizabeth in his new work, "Hartford Bridge." She played the role of Clara. This was her very first performance at the famous Covent Garden theatre, and her first time on a major stage.
Her performance went very well! She even had to sing her first song again because the audience loved it so much.
In 1797, Elizabeth returned from Ireland, where she had been singing with Charles Incledon. She performed again at Covent Garden. However, she was not well during this time, and it was her last season performing there. In March, she appeared in a show called "Bantry Bay."
In August of 1797, she performed in her own benefit concert in Brighton. The Countess of Jersey was in the audience. This concert raised £80 for Elizabeth.
Later Life
Elizabeth Clendining passed away in Edinburgh in 1799.
