Singer. Internationally acclaimed as one of the finest bel canto sopranos of her era, and probably the most widely-traveled vocalist of the 19th Century. Born Anna Riviere in London, she initially studied piano at the Royal Academy of Music with composer Henry Rowley Bishop, whom she married in 1831. She switched to singing in 1837 and made her professional debut that year in a concert directed by her husband. Soon afterwards she fell in love with her frequent accompanist, the famous harp player and conductor Nicolas Bochsa, and the two scandalized England by running away together in 1839. From 1843 to 1845 Bishop was "prima donna assoluta" at the San Carlo Opera in Naples, triumphing in works by Bellini and Donizetti, and in 1847 she and Bochsa launched an extensive North American tour. She did much to promote Italian opera in the United States and also produced and starred in the US premiere of Flotow's "Martha" (1852). After Bochsa's death in Australia in 1856 - Henry Bishop had died a few months earlier, refusing to the end to grant a divorce - she married an American speculator and continued her globe-trotting schedule solo. During her 44-year career Bishop conquered most of Europe's opera houses and performed in Mexico, South America, China, Singapore, India, and South Africa. She survived a shipwreck near the Sandwich Islands in 1866. Her constant tours were at least partly necessitated by her need for a large income and only when her voice gave out completely did she retire, at 71. She died of a stroke at her Park Avenue home in Manhattan.
Singer. Internationally acclaimed as one of the finest bel canto sopranos of her era, and probably the most widely-traveled vocalist of the 19th Century. Born Anna Riviere in London, she initially studied piano at the Royal Academy of Music with composer Henry Rowley Bishop, whom she married in 1831. She switched to singing in 1837 and made her professional debut that year in a concert directed by her husband. Soon afterwards she fell in love with her frequent accompanist, the famous harp player and conductor Nicolas Bochsa, and the two scandalized England by running away together in 1839. From 1843 to 1845 Bishop was "prima donna assoluta" at the San Carlo Opera in Naples, triumphing in works by Bellini and Donizetti, and in 1847 she and Bochsa launched an extensive North American tour. She did much to promote Italian opera in the United States and also produced and starred in the US premiere of Flotow's "Martha" (1852). After Bochsa's death in Australia in 1856 - Henry Bishop had died a few months earlier, refusing to the end to grant a divorce - she married an American speculator and continued her globe-trotting schedule solo. During her 44-year career Bishop conquered most of Europe's opera houses and performed in Mexico, South America, China, Singapore, India, and South Africa. She survived a shipwreck near the Sandwich Islands in 1866. Her constant tours were at least partly necessitated by her need for a large income and only when her voice gave out completely did she retire, at 71. She died of a stroke at her Park Avenue home in Manhattan.
Bio by: Bobb Edwards
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