| Admin History | Florence and Bertha Salter were soprano and contralto singers who originally came from Devon, although not much is known about their early life. It is possible that they might be two of the daughters of Joseph Salter (farmer of 260 acres at Broomhill Farm, Colebrook, near Crediton, Devon) and his wife Sarah, and therefore were born c 1870 and c 1873 respectively (source: 1881 Census).
Studying under Madame Moriani in Brussels for four years, their London debut was made in 1894, and they went on to tour extensively together throughout the UK at all major concert venues during their careers, as well as singing for European royalty. They were often called the 'Misses Salter', and were also nick-named the 'Devonshire Nightingales'. The role of Mytila was created for Florence in Emil Mathieu's opera 'Bathyle', which was premiered in Brussels before the Queen of Belgium. Florence was recommended as an Associate of the Philharmonic Society in 1901. |