The British Musical Biography

[E] Catley, Ann, soprano vocalist, was born
at London, 1745. She was articled to Bates,
the composer, in 1760, and appeared at Vaux-
hall Gardens in 1762. She sang at Covent

[+] Garden Theatre, Oct 8, 1762. Involved in a
scandalous criminal case, 1763. Sang in Ire-
land, 1763-70 ; Covent Garden Theatre, 1771.
Made her last appearance in public in 1784.
Supposed to have been latterly married to
General Lascelles, with v?hom she lived pre-
vious to her death. She died near Brentford,
Oct. 14, 1789.

[+] The criminal case above alluded to in this
singer's life was an action raised at the in-
stance of her father against Bates, Sir Francis
Delavel, and an attorney named Fraine for
conspiring to prostitute her, by agreement, to
the person named Delavel. Her father gained
his case. She was a great favourite in Lon-
don and in Ireland, and was one of the few
successful vocalists who at that time made
use of the staccato style. Her biography is
given in "The Life and Memoirs of Miss Ann
Catley, with biographical sketches of Sir F.
Blake Delaval, and the Hon. Isabella Pawlet,
daughter of the Earl of Thanet," by Miss
Ambross, London, 1789, with portrait. Re-
printed in 1888.

entry id: 81-R-60