Clara Butt

Dame Clara Ellen Butt (1 February 1872 – 23 January 1936) was an English dramatic contralto and one of the most popular singers from the 1890s through to the 1930s. She had an exceptionally fine contralto voice and an agile singing technique, and impressed contemporary composers such as Saint-Saëns and Elgar; the latter composed his Sea Pictures, Op. 37 with her voice in mind.

Her main career was as a recitalist and concert singer. She appeared in only two operatic productions, both of Gluck's Orfeo ed Euridice. Later in her career she frequently appeared in recitals together with her husband, the baritone Kennerley Rumford. She made numerous recordings for the gramophone.

Besides singing in many important festivals and concerts, she appeared by royal command before Queen Victoria and Kings Edward VII and George V. She made tours of Australia, Japan, Canada, New Zealand, Africa, India, Hong Kong[1], the United States and to many European cities. Wherever she went, she was greeted with acclaim. Every performance sold out, and audiences responded with great enthusiasm. This remarkable success continued until the end of her career.