Rainforth, Elizabeth

1814-1877

 

English dramatic soprano; was a pupil of George Perry and T. Cooke, and made a successful operatic debut as Mandane in Arne's Artaxerxes; studied afterward under Crivelli, and from 1837 appeared in oratorio as well as many prominent concerts, including the Philharmonic and the Concert of Ancient Music. She sang for five years prior to 1843 at Covent Garden, and in that year created the part of Arline in Balfe's Bohemian Girl at its initial performance, Drury Lane. In the next year she sang in Dublin. From 1852 to 1856 she lived in Edinburgh, and then retired to private life, removing in 1858 to Old Windsor, teaching in that vicinity until 1871, and finally to her father's home in Bristol. She died at Redland, Bristol. Her success was due to intelligence and dramatic ability, combined with a sweet and equable voice of high range, which lacked, however, the power requisite for the heaviest roles.