A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Wilson, Mary Ann

by Alexis Chitty

WILSON, Mary Ann, born 1802, was taught singing by Thomas Welsh. Her first appearance in public at Drury Lane Theatre, Jan. 18, 1821, as Mandane in 'Artaxerxes,' caused an immediate furore, as much for her youth and looks as for her fresh sweet voice and brilliant singing. She remained there until July 5, 'about 65 nights' according to Geneste, 'wonderfully attractive.'^[1] Her other parts were Rosetta (Love in a Village), Clara (Duenna), and Lady Gayland (False Alarms), etc. After an equally successful provincial tour she went the next year to Italy. The premature strain of her early exertions, however, soon ruined her health, and then destroyed her voice. But her short career was very lucrative, and in the year of her debut she made the unprecedented sum of £10,000.^[2] On June 9, 1827, she married Welsh, and by him had an only daughter, who married Signor Piatti. Mrs. Welsh died at Goudhurst, Kent, Dec. 13, 1867.

[ A. C. ]

1. According to the same authority, a 'novel mode of puffing was instituted by Elliston, by printing press notices on playbills in red Ink'—called by the wags of the day Elliston's blushes.'
2. Her own statement to Ella, quoted by Pougin in his Supplement to Fétis.