Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1891-01-06
The Famous Opera Singer Falls Victim
to the Dread Pneumonia.

The Famous Opera Singer Falls Victim
to the Dread Pneumonia.
SALT LAKE, January oth.-Emma Abbott, the
famous American prima donna, died in this
city this morning of acute pneumonia.
Her death was not unexpected, for she has
been dangerously i'll since Friday morning last
She was taken sick the day before, but her
powerful will kept her from giving in. ard she
sang on that evening, much against the desire
of her physician.
On the following day the man of medicine
told Miss Abbott that her life was in peril. The
lady undertook to laugh it of, however, but
finally, when she became aware that it was
serious matter, she al once resigned herself to
whatever fate might await her.
1t is only week ago that Emma Abbott sang
in Sacramento, ana was a perfect picture Of
health. More than that, she was in better
voice, and rendered the difficult role of Elvira
in "Ernanl' with greater ease than ever be-
fore She was at the zenith of her success and
fame at the time of her sudden and sad taking
away, and her death will cause thousands Of
lovers OF music to regret.
Emma Abbott was born in Chicago in 1850
Four years later her parents moved to Peoria
H., where her father pursued his profession of
music teacher with Indifferent success. His
little girl early learned to play the guitar and
developed vocal powers which led to her ap-
pearance at concert when she was but years
old. Her success was so marked that for sew
eral years she Travelled, giving concerts with
her brother George. In her sixteenth year she
ofhc1ated for time as a district school teacher
then resumed the concert business. Joined
western concert troupe, was stranded at Grand
heard Parepa Rosa, then the reigning foreign
star here, and resumed concert work in the
West, but with little financial success. About
this time, however, she attracted the favorable
notlce OF Miss Kellogg, who sent he- to New
York. She was engaged as soprano at the
Church OF the Divine Paternity, of which that
great pulpit orator, the Rev. E. II. Chaplin, was
pastor. The generous congregation of this
church took great interest in her success, and
the late Mr.. Lake, OF the we'll known firm of
Lake d McCreery, was, with Mrs. Lake, espe-
cially liberal to the ambitious young artist The
Lakes took her to their home, and with few
abroad This was IN 1872 Miss Abbott
remained several years in Europe studying
hrst in Milan and afterwards with Wartel in
Paris She received good offers abroad, but re-
turned to this country in 1880 and sang in the
prlncipal cities. She had married Mr.. Weth-
erill, and with him formed an opera company
which has proved genuine success. 1t has
always been conducted on good business prin-
ciples. Desirable artists were secured and were
paid their liberal salaries with unyarying
promptness. This fact-by no means COM
mon one in the noble but precarious "pro-
fession"-nade an engagement with the Abbott
troupe highly desirable, and singer who was
negotiating successfully with Miss Abbott was
always to be congratulated. The prima donna,
by the way, selected her own assistants, tried
their voices and allotted their parts
When here in Sacramento the prima donna
had not felt SO well in years, she said. and her
voice mad all of its strength and purity. From
here she went to Ogden, where she opened the
new opera house. 1t is believed that it was in
this new structure she contracted the severe
cold which led to her sudden death.
1t is estimated that Miss Abbott leaves an
estate worth in the neighborhood of 81, ,OOO, ,0OO