Background
BUTT, Clara was born on February 1, 1873 in Soutliwick, Sussex.
BUTT, Clara was born on February 1, 1873 in Soutliwick, Sussex.
She studied under Henry Blower at the Royal College of Music.
She made her debut at Albert Hall on Dec. 7, 1892, singing the part of Ursula in the Golden Legend by Arthur Sullivan. In 1895 she studied in Paris with Jacques Bouhy, and later with Mme. Etelka Gerster. She won great renown as a concert singer and was especially sought for the singing of oratorios. She visited America in 1899 and 1913. In 1913 and 1914 she toured the world with her husband, R. Kennerley Rumford, a baritone. She was created a Dame of the British Empire in 1920. Numerous compositions were written especially for her, notably Edgar Elgar's Sea Pictures, Herbert Bedford's Romeo and Juliet, and Frederick Cliffe's Triumph of Alcestis.
Riding, fishing. Ad dress: Compton Lodge, Harley Road, South Hampstead, N.W.
Spouse 1900, Kennerley Rumford.