Howson, the niece of diva Emma Albertazzi (also born Emma Howson), was born in Hobart Town, Tasmania, and performed as a child in concerts with her father, Frank (a baritone and conductor) and her brothers. Her father, with his tenor brother, John, moved to Sydney in 1845 and remained based there until the mid-1860s when, at the suggestion of American actor Joseph Jefferson, the family travelled to America.
In America, Howson began to perform in English opera as Amina in Louisiana Sonnambula (1866) as well as in comedy, drama, farce and burlesque. Her father died during that tour in 1869. The family eventually arrived in New York, where Emma performed in Wallace"s Maritana.
In other North American cities, she played roles in Auber"s Fra Diavolo, The Bohemian Girl, Martha, Oberon, The Marriage of Figaro, Der Freischütz and Il Trovatore, among others
She debuted in Malta in 1875 as Amina. In 1876, she arrived in England and toured in Italian operas in the English provinces with the Royal Italian Opera.
She joined Richard Doctorate"Oyly Carte"s Comedy Opera Company at the Opera Comique in May 1878, creating the role of Josephine in Gilbert and Sullivan comic opera His Majesty’s Ship Pinafore, which became a sensation. She earned excellent notices from the critics and was popular with audiences.
The Era noted after the opening night, "Mission Emma Howson is one of the brightest, liveliest little ladies imaginable.
She has a voice of charming quality, pure, sweet, and admirably in tune. Her singing at once established her in the good graces of the audience, and her acting was full of intelligence and comic talent."
Howson left the Opera Comique and Doctorate"Oyly Carte in April 1879. When she returned to the stage it was as leading lady in The Beggar"s Opera.
Her roles in America included Josephine in Pinafore and the title role in Patience.
Her brother John played Bunthorne in that opera, impersonating Oscar Wilde to the delight of the crowd at a train stop during Wilde"s American tour. She retired from the stage in the early 1890s, and settled in Brooklyn, New York, where she taught music
Her brother John Howson performed Gilbert and Sullivan frequently in America. Howson died in New York at the age of 84 and was buried in Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn.
Her nephew was actor Albert Howson.
