| Biography | 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 moral 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, Catherine (Mrs. M. Hooper), was also a soprano. |