Origins & Early Life

Anne Bracegirdle (possibly 1671 – 12 September 1748) was an English actress and soprano. Most of the plays she performed in involved singing as well as acting. She often performed music written for her by the composer John Eccles, and also sang music written for her by Henry Purcell. She became particularly well known for the song "I burn" which Eccles originally wrote for Bracegirdle to perform in Thomas D'Urfey's play The Comical History of Don Quixote (1694).

Pivotal Works & Achievements

She also sang music by Eccles in the play The Richmond Heiress (1693) and in William Congreve opera The Judgment of Paris (1701, as Venus). In 1706 she starred in Giuseppe Fedeli's opera The Temple of Love. Bracegirdle was born to Justinian and Martha (born Furniss) Bracegirdle in Northamptonshire. She was baptised in Northampton on 15 November 1671, although her tombstone says that she died at the age of 85 (suggesting that she was born around 1663). She was probably raised by actors Thomas and Mary Betterton from an early age, and it is speculated that she was the "little girl" referred to several times in playbills before 1688 for the Duke's Company, where Thomas Betterton was the big star.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

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