Prosper Sainton

The French violinist and composer Prosper Philippe Sainton (1813-1890) first visited England in 1844 and appeared as a violinist at a Royal Philharmonic Society concert conducted by Mendelssohn. In the following year he settled in London, becoming a Professor at the Royal Academy of Music. During his career in England, he led the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, the Royal Italian Opera Orchestra at Covent Garden, the Monday Popular Concerts, the Birmingham Festivals, and various chamber music ensembles. In 1860 he married the famous English contralto, Charlotte Helen Dolby.

Mr and Mrs Sainton appear on the 1861 census, living at 5 Upper Wimpole Street, Marylebone, London. They both gave their professions as 'Professor of Music'. Living with them were with their two–month-old son, Charles, Madame Sainton’s widowed mother and her unmarried brother, George. Madame Sainton had five live-in servants to help her run the house.

Photographed by Camille Silvy in the spring of 1860.