The British Musical Biography

[E] Penna, Frederic, baritone vocalist and
writer, born in London, July 15, 1831. Pupil
of Sir George Smart. He was solo baritone
at the Oratory, Brompton, for ten years;
favourably known in the concert room ; and
appeared in opera for one season at Her
Majesty's Theatre. He is professor of singing
at the London Academy of Music, and widely
known as a teacher and lecturer on voice
training, etc. Author of an Essay on Singing,
London, 1878 ; Vocal Exercises, to illustrate
his method, 1888 ; Lecture, Mendelssohn's
portrait of " Elijah," musically painted : his
naoral qualities, etc. His wife, Catherine
Louisa Smith (died, London, December 27,
1880), was an excellent soprano vocalist, who
with her sister Julia, gained much reputation
for duet singing. These ladies were nieces of
Catherine Stephens. His daughter, Cath-
erine (Mrs. M. Hooper), was also a soprano.
She sang at the Saturday Popular and
Philharmonc Concerts, 1876; the Norwich
Festival, etc., and was in much favour as a
vocalist. Composed some songs, and organ
music. She died June 6, 1894. William
Penna, his son, baritone, toured with success
in the United States, in 1885. He died,
January, 1889.

entry id: 316-R-39