ABSTRACT
This chapter presents a biography of mid- to late-19th-century Victorian vocalist Louisa Vinning. She was born in the market town of Kingsbridge in Devonshire in 1835 to a provincial violinist and a music teacher John Skinner Vinning and Martha, née Ellis. Louisa was seen for the first time in the capital at a public concert given by Handel Gear at the Hanover Square Rooms, on a programme featuring such celebrated artists as Julie Dorus-Gras, Miss Rainforth, Miss Masson, Stretton, Brizzi and John Parry. In December Louisa sang at Gloucester House, before a royal audience, on the occasion of the birthday of Princess Mary of Cambridge. Louisa completed several seasons at the Adelaide Gallery. In Liverpool, later in 1850, Louisa ran up against a Cuban lady by name Maria Martinez, vastly over-puffed as 'the Black Malibran'. Louisa sang Elijah at the opening of the Surrey Gardens under Jullien and remained there through a part of the season as soprano vocalist.
