Paton, Mary Ann

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Paton, Mary Ann

Paton, Mary Ann, distinguished Scottish soprano; b. Edinburgh, Oct. 1802; d. Bulcliffe Hall, Chapelthorpe, July 21, 1864. Of a musical family, she sang in concerts as a child, making her first operatic appearance as Susanna in Le nozze di Figaro (London, Aug. 3,1822). She sang the part of Rezia in the premiere of Weber’s Oberon in London (April 12, 1826) and was praised by Weber himself. She had a very fine voice, and could sing lyric and coloratura parts with equal brilliance. She was married to the tenor Joseph Wood.

Bibliography

J. Wood, Memoir of Mr. and Mrs. Wood (Philadelphia, 1840).

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire