Lunn, Louisa Kirkby

1873-

English dramatic singer; born at Manchester. Her first instruction was obtained from Mr. J. H. Greenwood, organist of All Saints' Church. From 1893 until 1896 she studied under Signer Visetti in the Royal College of Music. She made her debut while still a student, singing, in 1893, at Drury Lane and at the Prince of Wales Theatre. Her voice was admired by Sir Augustus Harris, who made a five years contract with her to sing in opera, but he died in 1896. During that year she sang at the Opera Comique and at Covent Garden. She belonged to the Carl Rosa Company from 1897 to 1899, and sang with them in London and the provinces. In the latter year she was married in London to Mr. J. K. Pearson. She continued to sing and her reputation steadily gained. In 1902 she came to the United States, where she sang opera in New York; in Boston, with the Symphony Orchestra; and in Chicago, with the Pittsburg Orchestra, and with the Chicago Orchestra under the late Theodore Thomas. She sang a return engagement in Boston two years later, when the Savage Company presented the first English performance of Parsifal, under the leadership of Chapelmaster Rothwell, very successfully. She continues to be a great favorite in her native land, her rich mezzosoprano of over two octaves in compass being in great demand.