A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Shirreff, Jane

by William Henry Husk

SHIRREFF, Jane, soprano singer, pupil of Thomas Welsh, appeared at Covent Garden, Dec. 1, 1831, as Mandane in Arne's 'Artaxerxes,' with great success. In 1832 she sang at the Concert of Ancient Music, the Philharmonic Concert, and Gloucester Festival, and in 1834 at the Westminster Abbey Festival. Her engagement at Covent Garden continued from 1831 to 1834–5. In 1835 she commenced an engagement at Drury Lane, but in 1837 returned to Covent Garden. In 1838 she went to America, in company with Wilson, E. Seguin and Mrs. E. Seguin, where she became a universal favourite. On her return to England she married and retired into private life. Her voice was full-toned, and powerful in the higher, but somewhat weak in the lower notes; her intonation was perfect, and she was a much better actress than the generality of singers. [App. p.792 "Add date of death, Dec. 23, 1883."]

[ W. H. H. ]