Emma Romer, afterwards Emma Almond (1814–1868) was a leading British

soprano A soprano () is a type of classical female singing voice and has the highest vocal range of all voice types. The soprano's vocal range (using scientific pitch notation) is from approximately middle C (C4) = 261 Hz to "high A" (A5) = 880&n ...

of the 19th century, and for three years a theatre manager and producer.

Biography

Emma Romer, born in 1813, was the daughter of John Romer and his wife, Elizabeth Cooper. The Romers were a theatrical family - "uncles! aunts! cousins! brothers! sisters! - all have "smelt the lamp"', as a contemporary publication puts it. She was a pupil of James Elliot, and later of Sir George Smart (according to the

Dictionary of National Biography The ''Dictionary of National Biography'' (''DNB'') is a standard work of reference on notable figures from British history, published since 1885. The updated ''Oxford Dictionary of National Biography'' (''ODNB'') was published on 23 September ...

. Another source indicates she was first taught by a Mr. Watson, and then for a short period by Smart, and afterwards - Smart's fees being more than the family could afford - by Elliot). Her first theatrical appearance was announced at

Covent Garden Theatre The Royal Opera House (ROH) is an opera house and major performing arts venue in Covent Garden, central London. The large building is often referred to as simply Covent Garden, after a previous use of the site. It is the home of The Royal Op ...

for 16 October 1830, when, as Clara in '' The Duenna'', she exhibited a soprano voice of great volume and compass, together with considerable dramatic talent. But the faultiness of her voice-production, and failure in the technique of her art, checked her immediate progress. The suggestion is that her talent - at least in her early years - was limited by the quality of her teachers. In 1834, however, after appearing at Covent Garden as Zerlina in '' Fra Diavolo'' and Rosina in '' The Barber of Seville'' (for her benefit), Miss Romer was engaged at the English Opera House, where she created the rôles of Eolia in John Barnett's '' The Mountain Sylph'' and Zulima in Edward Loder's ''Nourjahad'', under the management of Samuel James Arnold. In the winter she returned to Covent Garden, where, in 1835, as Amina in '' La sonnambula'', she "reached the topmost round of the ladder of fame", according to the ''Theatrical Observer''. But she immediately afterwards declined a minor part, and threw up her Covent Garden engagement. Subsequently, as Agnes in '' Der Freischütz'' and Liska in '' Der Vampyr'' (Lyceum, 1835), she won much admiration. In September 1835 she married George Almond, an army contractor. After her marriage Mrs. Almond appeared at Covent Garden as Esmeralda in ''Quasimodo'', a pasticcio from the great masters. The death of Maria Malibran in 1836 afforded her further opportunities, and she now filled the chief rôles in English and Italian opera at Drury Lane, appearing in ''

Fair Rosamond Rosamund Clifford (before 1150 – ), often called "The Fair Rosamund" or "Rose of the World" (Latin: ''rosa mundi''), was a medieval English noblewoman and mistress of Henry II, King of England, who became famous in English folklore. Life ...

'' (1837), '' The Maid of Artois'', '' La favorite'', '' Robert le diable'', '' The Bohemian Girl'', '' Maritana'', and many other pieces. In 1852 she undertook the management of the

Surrey Theatre The Surrey Theatre, London began life in 1782 as the Royal Circus and Equestrian Philharmonic Academy, one of the many circuses that provided entertainment of both horsemanship and drama (hippodrama). It stood in Blackfriars Road, near the jun ...

, where, during three seasons, she brought out a series of operas in English. After the death of her husband, Mrs. Almond retired from her profession, settling at Margate. She died there, aged 54, on 11 April 1868, and was buried in Brompton Cemetery.

Critical appraisal

Romer is described as "one of the leading sopranos of her day in English opera", with a big voice of great compass, and was a general favourite of audiences.

Family

Her brother, Frank Romer (1810–1899) was a composer, singing teacher and member of a publishing firm. He was a professor of music at

Trinity College of Music Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance is a music and dance conservatoire based in London, England. It was formed in 2005 as a merger of two older institutions – Trinity College of Music and Laban Dance Centre. The conservatoire has ...

in London. Her sister Helen (d. 1890) was wife of Mark Lemon, founding editor of both '' Punch'' and '' The Field''. Ann Romer (d. 1852), the vocalist, who married William Brough, was Emma Romer's first cousin.

References

;Works cited * * * * * ;Attribution {{DEFAULTSORT:Romer, Emma 1814 births 1868 deaths 19th-century British women opera singers English sopranos English theatre managers and producers Women theatre managers and producers 19th-century English businesspeople