Miss Cecilia Davies, during a musical career, unfortunately as brief as
it was splendid, had, at her own desire, been made known to Dr. Burney
in a manner as peculiar as it was honourable, for it was through the
medium of Dr. Johnson; a medium which ensured her the best services of
Dr. Burney, and the esteem of all his family.
Her fame and talents are proclaimed in the History of Music, where it
is said, “Miss Davies had the honour of being the first English woman
who performed the female parts in several great theatres in Italy; to
which extraordinary distinction succeeded that of her becoming the
first woman at the great opera theatre of London.”
And in this course of rare celebrity, her unimpeachable conduct, her
pleasing manners, and her engaging modesty of speech and deportment,
fixed as much respect on her person and character, as her singularly
youthful success had fastened upon her professional abilities.
But, unfortunately, no particulars can be given of any private
performance of this our indigenous brilliant ornament at the house
of Dr. Burney; for though she was there welcomed, and was even eager
to oblige him, the rigour of her opera articles prohibited her from
singing even a note, at that time, to any private party.[4]