Hayes, Catherine (1825–1861)
Hayes, Catherine (1825–1861)
Irish soprano. Name variations: Mrs. Bushnell. Born at 4 Patrick Street, Limerick, Ireland, on October 29, 1825; died at Sydenham, Kent, England, on August 11, 1861; daughter of poor parents; married William Avery Bushnell (a former electioneering agent who became her manager), in 1856 (died 1858).
Soprano Catherine Hayes was born in Limerick, Ireland, in 1825, to poor parents and acquired the patronage of a Bishop Knox who paid for her to study in Dublin under Antonio Sapio. After a series of successful public concerts, Hayes furthered her training in Paris and in Milan, where she was a student of Felici Ronconi. Hayes made a triumphant debut at Milan's La Scala in 1845, then successfully toured in Vienna and Venice. In 1849, she made her first appearance at London's Covent Garden, performing in Linda di Chamouni. In New York, in 1851, she met an electioneering agent, William Bushnell, whom she contracted as manager of an American tour. Her success was such that one California concertgoer paid $1,000 to hear her sing. She then made an extensive world tour, singing in South America, India, Polynesia, and Australia. In 1856, she returned to England, where she married Bushnell. Unfortunately, he fell ill and died in 1858, at age 35. Hayes remained in London, enjoying popularity as a ballad singer until her own premature death on August 11, 1861, at the age of 36.