The British Musical Biography

[E] Patey, Janet Monach, born Whytock,
contralto vocalist, born in London, j\lay 1,
1842, her father being a native of Glasgow.
Studied singing first with John Wass, and on
August 20, 1860, made her first public appear-
ance at James Stimpson's Monday Evening
Concerts, Town Hall, Birmingham, as Miss
Ellen Andrews. Became a member of Henry
Leslie's Choir, and studied under Mrs. Sims
Reeves and Pinsuti. In 1865 she toured with
the Lemmens' Concert Party, and in 1866
married Mr. Patey (noticed below). That
year she made her Festival di:hut at Worcester,
I and sang at the Birmingham Festival, 1867 ;
Norwich, 1869 ; and Leeds, 1874. On the re-
tirement of Madame Sainton-Dolby, in 1870,
she succeeded to the position of first English
contralto. Toured in America, singing in
" Elijah," New York, October .31, 1871. Sang
in Paris, in 1875, in performance of the
" Messiah," and at the Conservatoire, being
presented with a medal by the Directors in
commemoration of the event. Sang at all the
important concerts in the United Kingdom,
and was identified with the greatest composi-
tions produced at the different festivals, etc.
In 1890 she undertook a long tour in Aus-
tralia, commencing with a concert at Sydney.
Re-appeared at the Crystal Palace, October
11, 1891. Decided to retire in 1898, an i began
a farewell tour in the winter, but it was
brought to a tra'^jic close by her sudden death,
February 28, 1894. She had sung at a con-
cert at the Albert Hall, Sheffield, the pre-
vious evening, and after singing " The Banks
of Allan Water " in response to the encore,
fainted as she left the platform, and died at
her hotel early next morning, without regain-
ing consciousness.

entry id: 312-R-6