Kellogg, Clara Louise

1842-

One of America's most noted opera singers. She was born at Sumterville, South Carolina, but of northern parents. Her mother was musical and undertook the first musical instruction of her daughter. In 1856 she went to New York to continue her education. Her debut was made as Gilda in Rigoletto in 1861. In 1867 she made her English debut as Margherita in Faust, at Her Majesty's Theatre at London, and was sufficiently successful to be engaged at Drury Lane the following year. She then made a four-year concert tour in the United States, and in 1872 returned to Her Majesty's Theatre. In 1874 she began her great enterprise of organizing an English Opera Company to tour America. She did an enormous amount of work herself, including the translation, staging and training of performers. In the season of 18741875 she appeared a hundred and twenty-five times, and the result of her untiring energy and ambition was all that she could desire. In 1876 she established another troupe, an Italian Opera Company. In 1879 she appeared again at Her Majesty's Theatre, and in 1881 began concert work in America. In 1887 she married her manager, Carl Strakosch, and left the stage soon after. Her greatest role was Margherita in Faust; other  parts she has taken being Violetta, Martha, Zerlina in Don Giovanni, Aida, Philine in Mignon, and Susanna in The Marriage of Figaro. Her repertory included over forty operas. Her voice was a high, pure soprano, admirably trained. She has done a great deal to advance music in America and has been a great favorite both in England and in her own country.