From the Archives: Antoinette Sterling

Antoinette Sterling (Sterlingville, NY, 23 January 1850 – London, 9 January 1904)

Oil on canvas; painted in 1891 by James Doyle Penrose (1862-1932)

Portrait of the American contralto Antoinette Sterling.  After studies starting in New York and continuing in London and Germany, with Mathilde Marchesi and Pauline Viardot, and Manuel García, she eventually settled in London.  Her London début performance was in 1873 at the Covent Garden Promenade Concerts on 5 November.   

Three-quarter length, turned to her right, wearing a green dress covered with black studs, with brown fur cuffs and matching stole, holding a decorative metal-bound book.  According to her son the book contained the printed words of her repertoire. 

Presented by Malcolm Sterling Mackinlay (1876-1952, Member 00053), son of the sitter. The Minutes of 4 November, 1951, note “Mr Sterling Mackinlay offering to present a portrait in oils of his Mother Madame Antoinette Sterling to the Society … That the offer be accepted”.  The portrait had moved with Malcolm who lived in Baker Street, and then Portland Terrace, before it came to RSM in Stratford Place and now Fitzroy Square – a small orbit. 

Malcolm’s file contains the legal agreement (July, 1882), between Antoinette Sterling and the music publishers Boosey & Co., which reveals the royalties payable each time one of the listed songs was sung in public.  Several popular songs were composed for Antoinette Sterling, including Arthur Sullivan’s The Lost Chord which had been first performed by her, with the composer accompanying, at the “Boosey Ballad” concert of 31 January 1877.