Not currently on display at the V&A

H Beard Print Collection

Print
1st January 1802 (published)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Print entitled 'Theatrical Doctors recovering Clara's Notes!', a caricature of Elizabeth Billington (née Weichsel) being fed guineas by Richard Brinsley Sheridan of Drury Lane and Mr Harris of Covent Garden in an attempt to revive her singing voice. Published in London by S. W. Fores.

Elizabeth Billington (1768-1818) was one of the most popular and highly paid opera singers of her day. After a triumphant debut at Covent Garden in 1786 she received a salary of £1000 to appear at the theatre for a season, and in 1801, after a period in Italy, she was in such demand in London that it was arranged for her to make alternate performances at Covent Garden and Drury Lane theatres. Her first 1801 performance was as Mandane, daughter of King Xerxes in Thomas Arne's opera Artaxerxes, and Gilray's caricature shows her in this role. Mrs Billington was known for her wide vocal range, which was shown to good effect in the opera's celebrated aria, The Soldier, tir'd of War's Alarms.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleH Beard Print Collection (named collection)
Materials and techniques
hand coloured etching, ink and wash on paper
Brief description
Print entitled 'Theatrical Doctors recovering Clara's Notes!', a caricature of Elizabeth Billington (née Weichsel), Richard Brinsley Sheridan and Mr Harris. Published in London by S. W. Fores on 16th January 1802, Harry Beard Collection.
Physical description
Etched and hand coloured print entitled 'Theatrical Doctors recovering Clara's Notes!', a caricature of Elizabeth Billington (née Weichsel), Richard Brinsley Sheridan and Mr Harris.
Dimensions
  • Print size height: 22.8cm
  • Print size width: 25.4cm
Marks and inscriptions
'Exhibited R. Festival Hall / "Musicians Caricatured" Feb. Mar / 1953' (Written in sepia ink on back of print mount.)
Subjects depicted
Summary
Print entitled 'Theatrical Doctors recovering Clara's Notes!', a caricature of Elizabeth Billington (née Weichsel) being fed guineas by Richard Brinsley Sheridan of Drury Lane and Mr Harris of Covent Garden in an attempt to revive her singing voice. Published in London by S. W. Fores.

Elizabeth Billington (1768-1818) was one of the most popular and highly paid opera singers of her day. After a triumphant debut at Covent Garden in 1786 she received a salary of £1000 to appear at the theatre for a season, and in 1801, after a period in Italy, she was in such demand in London that it was arranged for her to make alternate performances at Covent Garden and Drury Lane theatres. Her first 1801 performance was as Mandane, daughter of King Xerxes in Thomas Arne's opera Artaxerxes, and Gilray's caricature shows her in this role. Mrs Billington was known for her wide vocal range, which was shown to good effect in the opera's celebrated aria, The Soldier, tir'd of War's Alarms.
Associated objects
Other number
F.117-14 - H Beard collection numbering
Collection
Accession number
S.4600-2009

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Record createdSeptember 4, 2009
Record URL
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