Singer, actress, scandal-ridden sister of composer Thomas 'Rule Brittania' Arne and daughter-in-law of Poet Laureate Colley Cibber. Born in London, her debut was at the age of 19 in her brother's opera 'Rosamund'. Handel, impressed by her talent, wrote parts with Susannah in mind for his 'Messiah' and 'Samson'. At the age of 20 she married Theophilus Cibber. The marriage was unhappy, apparently due to character flaws on Theophilus' part, and Susannah began an affair with their lodger William Sloper. This led to a very public and sensational lawsuit, following which Susannah and Sloper eloped and had a child. Theophilus was awarded damages, and later drowned at sea. Susannah moved to Dublin to escape the turmoil and appeared in 'Messiah', gaining good reviews from the likes of music historian Charles Burney, and returned to London once the scandals had faded. Working at her father-in-law's Drury Lane Theatre, she found new fame as a tragedian. The famous actor Garrick is said to have exclaimed, upon hearing of her demise, "Tragedy dies with her". She lies in the cloisters of Westminster Abbey, close to two other female figures of Drama, Aphra Behn and Anne Bracegirdle.
Singer, actress, scandal-ridden sister of composer Thomas 'Rule Brittania' Arne and daughter-in-law of Poet Laureate Colley Cibber. Born in London, her debut was at the age of 19 in her brother's opera 'Rosamund'. Handel, impressed by her talent, wrote parts with Susannah in mind for his 'Messiah' and 'Samson'. At the age of 20 she married Theophilus Cibber. The marriage was unhappy, apparently due to character flaws on Theophilus' part, and Susannah began an affair with their lodger William Sloper. This led to a very public and sensational lawsuit, following which Susannah and Sloper eloped and had a child. Theophilus was awarded damages, and later drowned at sea. Susannah moved to Dublin to escape the turmoil and appeared in 'Messiah', gaining good reviews from the likes of music historian Charles Burney, and returned to London once the scandals had faded. Working at her father-in-law's Drury Lane Theatre, she found new fame as a tragedian. The famous actor Garrick is said to have exclaimed, upon hearing of her demise, "Tragedy dies with her". She lies in the cloisters of Westminster Abbey, close to two other female figures of Drama, Aphra Behn and Anne Bracegirdle.
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