John Beard and Brent in "Thomas and Sally"

Charlotte Brent (17 December 1734 – 10 April 1802) was a child prodigy and celebrated soprano singer of the 18th century.

Life

She was the daughter of Catherine and Charles Brent (1693–1770).[1] He was a Handelian counter-tenor, and fencing-master.[2] She was a pupil and mistress of Thomas Arne (the composer of Rule, Britannia!) and later the wife of the violinist Thomas Pinto (whom she married in 1766).

She was an active performer in London from 1758-1769,[3] and in 1759 she appeared to great success in The Beggar's Opera at Vauxhall Gardens. The following year she appeared again at Vauxhall alongside Isabella Vincent which invited comparison in the press.[4] Brent was noted at the time for her bravura singing and her neat, distinct, and rapid execution.[5]

Brent was the step grandmother of the composer and keyboard virtuoso George Pinto. Brent had a long musical partnership with Arne, often appearing in his opera productions and performing his works in concerts. Among the roles she originated were Mandane in Arne's Artaxerxes, Sally in Arne's Thomas and Sally, and Rosetta in Arne's Love in a Village.

Brent is said to have died in obscurity on 10 April 1802,[6] aged 67.

References

  1. ↑ Baldwin, Olive; Wilson, Thelma (2004). "Brent, Charlotte (1734–1802), singer". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (online ed.). Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/3322. Retrieved 18 July 2020. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
  2. ↑ Solo Singers who performed at Vauxhall Gardens, Vauxhall Gardens 1661–1859, David Coke
  3. ↑ McVeigh, Simon (1 May 2014). "Calendar of London Concerts 1750-1800". {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  4. ↑ "Vincent [née Burchell; other married name Mills], Isabella (1734/5–1802), singer". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (online ed.). Oxford University Press. 2004. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/64360. ISBN 9780198614111. Retrieved 18 July 2020. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
  5. ↑ Burney, Charles. "Music Biography Articles from Rees's Cyclopedia" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 29 June 2021.
  6. ↑ "Vauxhall Gardens". www.vauxhallgardens.com. Retrieved 18 July 2020.


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