FAVANTI, Rita [EDWARDS, Margaret Fothergill] (b Limehouse, London, 21 October 1817; d 28 Abingdon Villas, Kensington, London, 18 August 1867)

This chapter presents a biography of mid- to late-19th-century singer Margaret Edwards. In July and December 1838 she was be seen singing 'Se m'abbandoni', and in March 1839 it was 'Non piu mesta'. Still a Crivelli student, she appeared at the Ancient Concert Paisiello's 'Il mio ben' on 17 April 1839. In early 1852, she was announced as 'returning to the scene of her former triumphs', and she duly turned up for the London season, appearing in concert, mounting her own concert on 9 July, at Beethoven Rooms and, finally on 19 July, stepping back on to the boards at Her Majesty's Theatre – in Cenerentola. In February 1867, she set off for a tour of Ireland. By the time she returned to the London theatre, Margaret Edwards was no more, and Margherita or, soon, Rita Favanti had been born.