Billington, Elizabeth

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Billington, Elizabeth (b London, 1765; d Venice, 1818). Eng. soprano with European reputation. Daughter of Carl Weichsel, Ger.-born oboist at King's Th., London. Child prodigy as pianist and composer. Studied with J. C. Bach. In 1783 married James Billington, db. player, with whom she also studied. Began opera career in Dublin, 1783, as Polly in The Beggar's Opera. Sang in Naples 1794 in Bianchi's Ines di Castro. Paisiello, Paër, and Himmel wrote operas for her. First Eng. Vitellia in La clemenza di Tito, London 1806. Retired 1817, living in Venice from 1817. Painted by Reynolds.

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