Emma Abbott (December 9, 1850 – January 5, 1891) was an American operatic soprano and impresario known for her pure, clear voice of great flexibility and volume.
Abbot was born in Chicago, Illinois, the daughter of a struggling Chicago musician. As a child she studied singing, piano, and the guitar with her father. Her family suffered from financial problems, and in order to help she began performing professionally at the age of nine. She made he...
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Emma Abbott (December 9, 1850 – January 5, 1891) was an American operatic soprano and impresario known for her pure, clear voice of great flexibility and volume.
Abbot was born in Chicago, Illinois, the daughter of a struggling Chicago musician. As a child she studied singing, piano, and the guitar with her father. Her family suffered from financial problems, and in order to help she began performing professionally at the age of nine. She made her debut as a guitar player and singer in Peoria, Illinois in 1859 and was teaching guitar by age 13.
In 1866 she joined an itinerant concert troup and toured the country. While performing on the road she met and befriended Clara Louise Kellogg. Upon hearing Abbott in a concert in Toledo, Kellogg made it a point to meet her and encourage her to pursue an opera career. Consequently, Abbott studied in New York City under Achille Errani, and made her concert début there in December 1871.
In 1872 Abbott went abroad to study with Sangiovanni in...
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