John Weeks Moore

“ Perhaps no other singer could have sung this song ; very certain it is, no one has ever attempted it. Engagements now multiplied upon her. She sang at the Italian Opera in 1803, at the king's concert, at the Hanover Square Vocal Concerts, and at a round of provincial meetings, from this time till 1809, when she finally retired. Two remarkable circumstances attended her during this period of her public life. On her reappearance at the opera, Banti, then in the zenith of her excellence, played the character of Polifonte to Mrs. Billington's Merope, in Nasonini's opera of that name. ”

“ Weichsell to perform in private be-fore the king and queen, at Caserto, a country residence. The gratification they received induced their majesties to request Mrs. Billington to perform at the great theatre of St. Carlo, then thought to be the finest opera established in the world. She accordingly, in May, 1794, made her début in "Inez di Castro," which was composed expressly for her by the maestro, Francesco Bianchi, who wrote an opera worthy the supereminent ability of this prima donna. Her success was complete, for indeed her celebrity made her name known in Italy ”

“ Billington, Elizabeth. This celebrated singer, musician, and piano-forte player, was a daughter of Weichsell, a native, we believe, of Freyberg, in Saxony. She was born in England about the year 1770. Her mother, who was a singer of some eminence, died while her offspring, Mr. C. Weichsell, the celebrated violinist, and Mrs. Billington, were young. These children were trained to music at the earliest possible age, and even performed on the piano-forte and violin for the benefit of Mrs. Weichsell, at the Haymarket Theatre, at six years old. ”

“ The managers of Covent Garden and Drury Lane Theatres evinced equal anxiety to secure her talents, and the disposal of her services was at length referred to arbitrators, who awarded that she should appear at the two theatres alternately. ”