(b. Sumterville, South Carolina, July 12, 1842; d. New Hartford, Connecticut, May 13, 1916), opera singer. She was of northern extraction. Her mother had considerable talent as a musician, and Clara was her only child. In 1856 they removed to New York, where she received the whole of her musical education. She made her first appearance there, at the Academy of Music (Opera), as Gilda in 1 Rigoletto,' in 1861, and sang that season ten or twelve times. On Nov. 2, 1867, she made her debut in London a t Her Majesty's as Margherita, and sang also as Violetta, Linda, Martha and Zerlina ( ' Don Giovanni '), appearing in the last-named part on the night before the theatre was burnt down, Dec. 6. In 1868 she sang, with the company of Her Majesty's Theatre, at Drury Lane, and at various important concerts in the same season, and at the Handel Festival. From 1868-72 she was touring in the United States. On May 11, 1872, she reappeared in London at Drurv Lane, Her Majesty's Opera, as Linda, and sang during that season also in ' Lucia,' and other parts. On her return to the United States she continued to sing in Italian opera till 1874, when she organised an English troupe, herself superintending the translation of the words, the mise en seine, the training of the singers, and the rehearsals of the chorus. Such was her devotion to the project, that in the winter of 1874- 1875 she sang no fewer than 125 nights. She reappeared at the rebuilt Her Majesty's Theatre in 1879 as Aida, and Philine in ' Mignon.' In 1881 she returned to America, singing principally in concerts. She married her manager, Carl Strakosch, in 1887, and soon afterwards retired. Her musical gifts were great. She is said to have been familiar with forty operas. She had great conscientiousness as an artist, ardent enthusiasm, and a voice of great compass and purity. o. and A. c. B i b l .-Memoirs of an American Prima Donna, New York, 1913.