Catherine Stephens, Countess of Essex
(1794-1882), Actress and singer; wife of 5th Earl of EssexCatherine Capell-Coningsby (née Stephens), Countess of Essex
Early Victorian Portraits Catalogue Entry
Sitter associated with 11 portraits
Stephens was a soprano singer who first made her mark in 1813 as Mandane in Thomas Arne's Artaxerxes. This led to a series of parts in a variety of English operas which fostered her growing popularity. After touring England and Scotland she joined the company at Covent Garden Theatre where she stayed until 1822 when, after breaking with the management led by Charles Kemble, she transferred to Drury Lane. After Nancy Storace's retirement, Stephens occupied the principal position in English opera. She had a 'full, rich, round and lovely' voice and was an actress of distinction. She retired in 1835 and married the octogenarian Earl of Essex, whom she survived by forty-three years.
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