Catharina Pratten

[3][4] Catharina began touring in Europe from the age of eight, and by 1844 was well known in England as a composer and guitar teacher.

[6] Her pupils included Queen Victoria’s daughters Louise, Princess of Wales and Beatrice, and the actor, singer, guitarist, and composer Ernest Shand.

[7] Heike Matthiesen has recorded some of the guitar pieces, including the variations on Carnaval de Venise, the two Fairy Sketches, and the Serenade.

[8] Her residence in London was 22 Dorset Street, Portman Square, where she lived after the death of her husband in 1868, and where she died on 10 October 1895.

[9] Her sister, Giulia Pelzer (also a teacher), continued to run the guitar school after Catharina’s death.