A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Hayes, Catharine

HAYES, Catharine, distinguished soprano, was born in Ireland in 1825 or 26, and learnt singing in Dublin from Sapio, in Paris from Garcia, and at Milan from Ronconi. On her departure for abroad Thackeray wished her farewell in his Irish Sketchbook. She made her first appearance at Marseilles in 1845 in the Puritani, and this successful débût was the beginning of a very brilliant career in Italy and Austria. Her first appearance in London was at Covent Garden, April 10, 1849, in Linda. After a short period of fair success here, during which she also sang in Lucia, the Sonnambula, and the Prophète (Bertha)—and of much greater eclat in Ireland, where she sang Irish songs amid vast applause—she left Europe for America, India, Australia, and Polynesia. In 1857 she returned with a fortune, and married Mr. Bushnell, but was known by her maiden name till her death, which took place at Roccles, Sydenham, Aug. 11, 1861. Her voice was beautiful, but she was an imperfect musician, and did not study. In society and domestic life she was greatly beloved and esteemed.

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