Greta Williams

Who is Greta Williams?

Greta Williams was a celebrated English operatic soprano and contralto, and occasional pianist of the Victorian era. Born in London, she studied piano under Edwin Holland and Alberto Randegger at the Royal Academy of Music, and made numerous appearances, both as an instrumentalist and a singer, at the Hallé Concerts, Royal Albert Hall, Queen's Hall and other venues.

She is also remembered as a heroine of the 1899 wreck of the SS Stella, in which 77 people perished. During the 14 hours she and other survivors waited in open boats for their rescuers, she quelled the fears of the passengers and crew by singing "O, Rest in the Lord".