Margaret Kennedy (died 23 January 1793) was a contralto singer and
actress. She was best known for her performances in male roles,
especially in the operas of Thomas Arne.Kennedy was born with the name
Margaret Doyle, but the place and date of her birth are not known. She
had Irish ancestry, and she may have been born in Ireland or possibly
in London.Kennedy married a Mr. Farrell in August 1774, before she
made her singing debut, and she appeared under the name "Mrs Farrell"
in her early career. She may have studied music with Gaetano Quilici.
She was discovered by Thomas Arne while performing as a singer at an
inn in St Giles, London. She studied under Arne and sang at the
Haymarket Theatre in three concerts organised by Arne for his pupils
in 1775, appearing in another pupils' concert in early 1776. She
appeared in Arne's Comus at Covent Garden in March 1776.
actress. She was best known for her performances in male roles,
especially in the operas of Thomas Arne.Kennedy was born with the name
Margaret Doyle, but the place and date of her birth are not known. She
had Irish ancestry, and she may have been born in Ireland or possibly
in London.Kennedy married a Mr. Farrell in August 1774, before she
made her singing debut, and she appeared under the name "Mrs Farrell"
in her early career. She may have studied music with Gaetano Quilici.
She was discovered by Thomas Arne while performing as a singer at an
inn in St Giles, London. She studied under Arne and sang at the
Haymarket Theatre in three concerts organised by Arne for his pupils
in 1775, appearing in another pupils' concert in early 1776. She
appeared in Arne's Comus at Covent Garden in March 1776.
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