Charlotte Brent

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

John Beard and Brent in "Thomas and Sally"

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).

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.[3]

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.[4]

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 2020-07-18. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
  2. Solo Singers who performed at Vauxhall Gardens, Vauxhall Gardens 1661–1859, David Coke
  3. "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 2020-07-18. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
  4. "Vauxhall Gardens". www.vauxhallgardens.com. Retrieved 2020-07-18.
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