Dame Clara (Ellen) Butt

(b Steyning, 1 Feb 1872; d North Stoke, 23 Jan 1936). English contralto. She studied at the RCM and in 1892 was much praised as Orpheus in its production of Gluck's opera at the Lyceum Theatre; she also sang the role under Beecham at Covent Garden in 1920. Her powerful voice was heard most in concert; in 1899 at Norwich she gave the first performance of Elgar's Sea Pictures .