Kitty Clive @ Foundling Museum

Kitty Clive, born Catherine Raftor, was a star of the London stage. She sang in Handel’s first London performance of Messiah in 1743, and he created the role of Dalila for her in his oratorio Samson the same year. Clive cultivated her popular image as an actress and fought public battles in the media to achieve greater rights for theatrical performers. She also wrote and performed in several satirical sketches with feminist undertones, and published a pamphlet, The case of Mrs Clive, exposing her ill-treatment by the theatre managers.  Learn about Kitty Clive’s rise to fame from humble origins to star of the London stage.