Catherine Tofts

Catherine Tofts or Katherine Tofts was the first English singer who sang Italian opera in England.

Jonathan Swift wrote a short poem about Tofts in his "works", which talks of her beauty. It is thought however that the verse was written by Alexander Pope.

Tofts quit the stage in 1709 and married Joseph Smith, English consul at Venice. They had a son who died when still a child, and subsequently, Catherine became mentally ill. A small oval portrait identified as of Joseph Smith and Catherine Tofts, and attributed to Rosalba Carriera, was exhibited at BRAFA Art Fair, Brussels 2026 by Stéphane Renard Fine Arts (tempera on ivory, 8.5 x 11.5 cm).

Catherine died in 1756 and her husband married again the following year.