Singing the praises of a Victorian superstar

A 19th Century composer whose works were performed by some of the most famous singers of the day is enjoying fresh recognition in her hometown.

Charlotte Alington Pye, who was born in Louth, Lincolnshire, in 1830, gained fame under her pen name of Claribel.

She sold vast amounts of sheet music around the world, with her songs reaching the US and Australia. Counting Queen Victoria among her fans, she amassed a fortune and became a leading songwriter of the era.

Now her life and work are being given fresh exposure at Louth Museum, which is displaying a restored portrait of Claribel as a child and also showing her last commonplace book.

The composer was a household name during her lifetime, but circumstances mean she is less well known today than she perhaps should be.

In 1868, her father was accused of embezzlement. Claribel – by then Charlotte Alington Barnard – and her husband fled to Belgium with him as he sought to avoid prosecution and hide from his creditors.

Family shame turned to tragedy on a return to England a little while later. She made it safely back to Dover with her husband but died there of typhoid, aged 38.

Kate Witney, a singer from the town, is playing her part in raising the songwriter's profile.

"The commonplace book is a sort of combination of a sketchbook and a notebook in which Claribel penned her thoughts and impressions and recorded her experiences in small watercolour paintings," Ms Witney said.

"It is now displayed in a purpose-built cabinet and has also been digitised so that a rolling display allows museum visitors to view the entire book.

"It's very exciting to have the commonplace book, in particular, back in Louth. The little watercolours in it are delightful."

Ms Witney and pianist Jane O'Farrell have recorded an album of Claribel's songs, meaning the Victorian star is finally benefiting from the technology that was not around in her day.

"Claribel's songs are very much of their period," said Ms Witney.

"One or two are, perhaps, a bit sentimental for modern tastes, but they are great fun to sing! She could certainly write a good tune."

The museum is open 10:00 to 16:00 BST from Wednesday to Saturday between April and October. The CD is available from the museum.