Anastasia Robinson 1692–1755
ANASTASIA ROBINSON became a professional singer reluctantly because it was not considered totally respectable to perform on the stage. Unfortunately she had little choice because her father was no longer able to support the family as a painter due to failing eyesight. She became an opera singer at a time when London was enamoured of Italian opera. Her first role was in Creso in 1714. Robinson was closely associated throughout her career with the German-born English composer George Frideric Handel; one of her first public performances may have been as soprano soloist in his Eternal Source of Light Divine (1713/14), an ode for Queen Anne’s birthday. She appeared in numerous Italian operas by Handel, including the 1713–14 revival of Rinaldo (1711), in which she played Almirena, as well as the premieres of Amadigi di Gaula (1715, playing Oriana), Radamisto (1720, Zenobia), Floridante (1721, Elmira), and Giulio Cesare (1724, Cornelia). In addition, she performed in operas by other composers.
Opera singing in London, at this time, for those at the top of their profession, was very lucrative. In a typical year she would be contracted for £500 and this income would have been supplemented by gifts and benefit concerts. So her decision to accept the hand of the much older and rarely solvent Charles Mordaunt, Earl of Peterborough, is unlikely to have been based on money. Mordaunt had first encountered Anastasia when she was still giving private recitals in her father’s house in Golden Square. He went on to become an ardent opera goer. The marriage, which took place in 1722 or 3, remained secret until shortly before the earl’s death because he was ashamed of his wife’s career as a stage performer.
At first they lived in separate establishments in Parson’s Green, London but then the earl rented and later bought the land which became Bevois Mount Estate. Although Anastasia may not have moved to Southampton immediately, she certainly lived with her husband there for several years. She is frequently mentioned in the exchange of letters between Mordaunt and Alexander Pope as “Lady P.”, “the farmeress at Bevis Mount” and “a sensible woman”.
She nursed her husband devotedly through his final illness and set sail with him in September 1735 for Portugal and ‘warmer climes’. He died at Lisbon and she accompanied his body back to England. She continued to live quietly at Bevois Mount for the rest of her days.
Her mural is found on the side of Jo Jo’s gym (88–90 Lodge Road) is accompanied by a blue plaque dedicated to Bevois Mount House.
Click here for the location map.
Opera singing in London, at this time, for those at the top of their profession, was very lucrative. In a typical year she would be contracted for £500 and this income would have been supplemented by gifts and benefit concerts. So her decision to accept the hand of the much older and rarely solvent Charles Mordaunt, Earl of Peterborough, is unlikely to have been based on money. Mordaunt had first encountered Anastasia when she was still giving private recitals in her father’s house in Golden Square. He went on to become an ardent opera goer. The marriage, which took place in 1722 or 3, remained secret until shortly before the earl’s death because he was ashamed of his wife’s career as a stage performer.
At first they lived in separate establishments in Parson’s Green, London but then the earl rented and later bought the land which became Bevois Mount Estate. Although Anastasia may not have moved to Southampton immediately, she certainly lived with her husband there for several years. She is frequently mentioned in the exchange of letters between Mordaunt and Alexander Pope as “Lady P.”, “the farmeress at Bevis Mount” and “a sensible woman”.
She nursed her husband devotedly through his final illness and set sail with him in September 1735 for Portugal and ‘warmer climes’. He died at Lisbon and she accompanied his body back to England. She continued to live quietly at Bevois Mount for the rest of her days.
Her mural is found on the side of Jo Jo’s gym (88–90 Lodge Road) is accompanied by a blue plaque dedicated to Bevois Mount House.
Click here for the location map.