A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Poole, Elizabeth

by George Grove

POOLE, Elizabeth, a very favourite English actress and mezzo-soprano singer, born in London April 5, 1820, made her first appearance in a pantomime at the Olympic Theatre in 1827, and continued for some years to play children's parts—Duke of York to Kean's Richard; Albert to Macready's Tell; Ariel, etc. In 1834 she came out in opera at Drury Lane, as the Page in 'Gustavus'; in 1839 visited the United States and sang in 'Sonnambula' and other operas; in 1841 was engaged by Mr. Bunn for his English operas at Drury Lane. Here she sang many parts, especially Lazarillo in 'Maritana.' At the same time her ballads and songs were highly popular at concerts, both in London and the Provinces. Miss Poole appeared at the Philharmonic, June 15, 1846. She was a leading singer in the operas brought out at the Surrey Theatre by Miss Romer, in 1852, where she sang in 'The Daughter of the Regiment,' 'Huguenots,' etc., and was also much engaged by Charles Kean, F. Chatterton, and German Reed. Miss Poole (then Mrs. Bacon) retired from public life in 1870, and is still living. She was a clever, indefatigable, artist, always to be relied upon. Her voice was good, extensive, and very mellow and sympathetic in quality; her repertoire in opera was very large, and in English songs and ballads she had no rival. Her portrait is preserved in the collection of the Garrick Club.

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