Emma Abbott was an American operatic soprano and impresario known for her pure, clear voice of great flexibility and volume.
15 Facts About Emma Abbott
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Emma Abbott was born in 1850 in Chicago, Illinois, the daughter of the struggling Chicago musician Seth Abbott and his wife, Almira.
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The family moved to Peoria, Illinois, Emma was eight years of age when, she made her first appearance on the stage, singing at a concert given in her father's office in Peoria.
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In 1854, Professor Emma Abbott was unable to find a sufficient number of music students to make ends meet and the family suffered from financial problems.
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Emma Abbott made her debut as a guitar player and singer in Peoria, Illinois in 1859, with George on the violin, and was teaching guitar by age thirteen.
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Consequently, Emma Abbott studied in New York City under Achille Errani, and made her concert debut there in December 1871.
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In 1872, Emma Abbott went abroad to study with Antonio Sangiovanni in Milan.
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Emma Abbott appeared in several productions in Paris, earning rave reviews for her fine soprano voice.
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Emma Abbott was awarded a contract with the Royal Opera in London and made her debut at Covent Garden as Marie in La Fille du regiment in 1876.
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On February 23,1877, Emma Abbott made her American operatic debut in New York, portraying Marie.
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Emma Abbott's husband ran the business end of the company and she managed the artistic side, often starring in the productions.
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Emma Abbott garnered a reputation among the public for quality productions and was quite successful.
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Emma Abbott herself became known among Americans as 'the people's prima donna'.
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Emma Abbott continued performing up until her sudden death from pneumonia in Salt Lake City, Utah in 1891, aged 40.
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Emma Abbott is buried at Oak Grove Cemetery in Gloucester, Massachusetts along with her husband.