Abrams, Harriett (c. 1758–c. 1822)
Abrams, Harriett (c. 1758–c. 1822)
English composer and soprano, well known in London for her beautiful compositions and voice. Born of Jewish descent around 1758; died around 1822; sister of singers Theodosia Abrams (c. 1765–c. 1834) and Eliza Abrams (c. 1772–c. 1830).
Hard facts are scarce concerning Jewish composer and singer Harriett Abrams. Her sister Theodosia had a beautiful contralto voice and sang with Harriett as did another sister Eliza. Harriett studied with the composer Thomas Arne and, in 1775, she made her debut in May Day. By 1780, she left Drury Lane to become a singer in fashionable concerts. In 1784, she appeared in the Handel Commemoration concerts and in some of the Antient Music concerts. By the 1790s, Abrams had limited her appearances to exclusive programs in the homes of the nobility like the Ladies' Concerts she organized at Lord Vernon's. She also staged annual benefits where Haydn played the piano in 1792, 1794, and 1795. A composer as well as a singer, Harriett Abrams published two sets of Italian and English canzonets, a collection of Scottish songs, and a number of ballads. One of these ballads, "Crazy Jane," was quite the rage in 1799–1800. Though musical programs and newspapers of the period document her popularity, she all but faded from the view of modern history.
John Haag , Associate Professor of History, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia