INVERARITY, Eliza

Elizabeth Inverarity, later "Mrs. Charles T. Martyn" (23 March 1813, in Edinburgh – 27 December 1846, in Newcastle-on-Tyne), was a Scottish opera soprano, popular singer and actress of the early 19th century, in England and in America. She also composed some ballads with her husband Charles Martyn, a bass from Bristol.

The daughter of James Inverarity, an Edinburgh merchant, and his wife Helen (McLagan), Inverarity began her career in Edinburgh as a singer of Scottish ballads. After early studies with a Mr. Thorne of the Theatre Royal, Edinburgh, she became in 1829 a student of Alexander Murray, a singing teacher and prominent violinist. He introduced her to the public at the Assembly Rooms in April of that year. Murray arranged her appearances in a series of concerts in Edinburgh in 1830, and in autumn of that year persuaded her family that she should travel to Italy for further vocal training. When she reached London, however, she was introduced to Sir George Smart, a prominent conductor and vocal instructor, and decided to study with him.