Patey, Janet Monach (1842–1894)
Patey, Janet Monach (1842–1894)
English vocalist. Name variations: Janet Whytock. Born Janet Whytock in London, England, on May 1, 1842; died in Sheffield on February 28, 1894; studied singing under J. Wass, Pinsuti and Mrs. Sims Reeves; married John Patey (a bass singer), in 1866.
Janet Monach Patey had a fine alto voice, which developed into a contralto. Her first appearance, as a child, was made at Birmingham; her first regular engagement was in 1865, in the provinces. From 1866, the year she sang at the Worcester festival, she was recognized as one of the leading contraltos, and, on the retirement of Charlotte Helen Sainton-Dolby in 1870, Patey was without rival both in oratorio and in ballad music. She toured in America in 1871, and sang in Paris in 1875 and in Australia in 1890.