Kathleen Ferrier

Kathleen Mary Ferrier CBE (22 April 1912 – 8 October 1953) was an English contralto born in Blackburn, and later moved with her family to Higher Walton, Lancashire. British singer Source: http://www. ... Commanders Badge of the Order of the British Empire (Military division) The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is a British order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by King George V. The Order includes five classes in civil and military divisions; in decreasing order of seniority... April 22 is the 112th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (113th in leap years). ... 1912 (MCMXII) was a leap year starting on Monday in the Gregorian calendar (or a leap year starting on Tuesday in the 13-day-slower Julian calendar). ... October 8 is the 281st day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (282nd in leap years). ... 1953 (MCMLIII) was a common year starting on Thursday. ... Motto: (French for God and my right) Anthem: God Save the King/Queen Capital London (de facto) Largest city London Official language(s) English (de facto) Unification    - by Athelstan AD 927  Area    - Total 130,395 km² (1st in UK)   50,346 sq mi  Population    - 2006 est. ... In music, an alto is a singer with a vocal range somewhere between a tenor and a soprano. ... This article is about Blackburn in Lancashire, England. ... Lancashire is a county in North West England, bounded to the west by the Irish Sea. ...

She left school at 14 and worked as a telephone operator in Blackburn. She married a bank manager named Bert Wilson in 1935, and moved to Silloth and later to Carlisle, in the north of England. It was in Carlisle that her husband bet her that she would not take part in a singing competition. She entered and won in two categories - singing and piano. It was this which brought her talents to public attention, and was a significant factor in her deciding to pursue a career in singing. During the early days of the war she gave concerts for the Council for the Encouragement of Music and the Arts (CEMA) and then, on the advice of Malcolm Sargent,^[1] moved to London in 1942, where her main career began. Her marriage, however, did not work out, and was annulled after 12 years. This article is about Blackburn in Lancashire, England. ... Silloth is a port in Cumbria, on the Solway Firth, 36 km west of Carlisle. ... Carlisle is a city in the far north-west of England, located 16km from the border with Scotland. ... Sir (Harold) Malcolm (Watts) Sargent (April 29, 1895 – October 3, 1967) was a British conductor, organist and composer. ...

She studied with Dr Hutchinson in Newcastle and later with baritone Roy Henderson, who was a well known singing teacher at the time. The unique timbre of her voice was in part due to a medical anomaly: her throat was exceptionally wide. Baritone (French: baryton; Deutsch: Bariton; Italian: baritono) is most commonly the type of male voice that lies between bass and tenor. ... Roy Henderson (July 4, 1899 – March 16, 2000) was a popular British baritone in the 1920s, 30s, and 40s. ...

Ferrier excelled in the music of Mahler, in Bach and in Handel. Her recitals often included songs by Schubert, Schumann and Brahms and towards the end of her career she sang Chausson's Poeme de l'amour et de la mer - her only major work from the French repertory. Ferrier is well remembered for interpretations of British folk songs, including the lovely Blow the wind southerly. This article cites its sources but does not provide page references. ... Johann Sebastian Bach (pronounced ) (21 March 1685 O.S. – 28 July 1750 N.S.) was a prolific German composer and organist whose sacred and secular works for choir, orchestra and solo instruments drew together the strands of the Baroque period and brought it to its ultimate maturity. ... George Frideric Handel (23 February 1685 – 14 April 1759) was a German-born British Baroque composer who was a leading composer of concerti grossi, operas and oratorios. ... Franz Peter Schubert (January 31, 1797 – November 19, 1828) was an Austrian composer. ... For others with the same name see Robert Schumann (disambiguation). ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Ernest Chausson (January 20, 1855 – June 10, 1899) was a late-blooming French romantic composer who died in an accident just as his career was beginning to flourish. ...

Much in demand throughout the UK, she also sang regularly in the Netherlands, where she was extremely popular, and in France, Germany, Italy and in Scandinavia. She paid three visits to North America (1948, 1949 and 1950) and sang at each of the first six Edinburgh International Festivals - a fact of which she was justifiably proud. The Edinburgh International Festival is a festival of performing arts that takes place in the city of Edinburgh, Scotland over three weeks from around the middle of August. ...

Benjamin Britten wrote several parts specifically for her, including Lucretia in The Rape of Lucretia, Abraham and Isaac (also written for Peter Pears), and part of the Spring Symphony (1949). Among other composers who wrote specifically for her were Lennox Berkeley, Arthur Bliss and Edmund Rubbra. Edward Benjamin Britten, Baron Britten, OM CH (November 22, 1913 Lowestoft, Suffolk - December 4, 1976 Aldeburgh, Suffolk) was a British composer, conductor, and pianist. ... The Rape of Lucretia (Op. ... Sir Peter Neville Luard Pears (June 22, 1910 – April 3, 1986) was an English tenor and life-long partner of the composer Benjamin Britten. ... Sir Lennox Berkeley (May 12, 1903 - December 26, 1989) was a British composer. ... Sir Arthur Edward Drummond Bliss, CH, KCVO (August 2, 1891 - March 27, 1975) was a British composer. ... Edmund Rubbra (23 May 1901–14 February 1986) was a British composer. ...

She worked with many famous conductors, including Bruno Walter, John Barbirolli, Malcolm Sargent, Clemens Krauss, Herbert von Karajan, Eduard van Beinum and also with Benjamin Britten. She also worked with other famous singers such as Isobel Baillie, Elisabeth Schwarzkopf, Julius Patzak and Peter Pears. Bruno Walter (September 15, 1876 - February 17, 1962) was a German-born conductor and composer. ... Sir John (Giovanni Battista) Barbirolli (December 2, 1899 - July 29, 1970), was a British conductor and cellist who led the London Symphony Orchestra and the London Philharmonic Orchestra, among many others. ... Sir (Harold) Malcolm (Watts) Sargent (April 29, 1895 – October 3, 1967) was a British conductor, organist and composer. ... Clemens Krauss (born in Vienna, March 31, 1893 – buried at Mexico City, May 16, 1954) was an Austrian conductor famed for his interpretations of the music of Richard Strauss, Richard Wagner and other German composers. ... Herbert von Karajan (Salzburg April 5, 1908 Anif near Salzburg – July 16, 1989) was an Austrian conductor. ... Eduard van Beinum (September 1, 1901, Arnhem - April 13, 1959, Amsterdam) was a Dutch conductor. ... Isobel Baillie (9 March 1895, Hawick, Roxburghshire, Scotland - 24 September 1983 – Manchester, England) was a Scottish soprano, popular in opera, oratorio and lieder. ... Elisabeth Schwarzkopf Dame Elisabeth Schwarzkopf DBE (b. ... Sir Peter Neville Luard Pears (June 22, 1910 – April 3, 1986) was an English tenor and life-long partner of the composer Benjamin Britten. ...

Her final role was as Orfeo in Gluck's Orfeo ed Euridice at Covent Garden in February 1953. She had previously sung this role at Glyndebourne in 1947 and in the Netherlands in 1949 and 1951. A recording of the latter was found in the archives of the Dutch National Opera and released on vinyl in the early 1980s, but the Royal Opera House performance was sung in English. Christoph Willibald (von) Gluck (July 2, 1714 - November 15, 1787) was a German composer, one of the most important opera composers of the Classical music era, particularly remembered for Orfeo ed Euridice. ... Orfeo ed Euridice is an opera by Christoph Willibald Gluck. ... The Floral Hall of the Royal Opera House The Royal Opera House is a performing arts venue in London. ... Glyndebourne Festival Opera is a opera festival held at Glyndebourne House near Lewes, in southern England. ... The Floral Hall of the Royal Opera House The Royal Opera House is a performing arts venue in London. ...

Already seriously ill with breast cancer, which had spread to her bones, she got through the opening night of Orfeo successfully, but at the second performance a bone in her leg broke while she was onstage. She managed to finish this performance, and left the theatre in a stretcher. It would be her final performance.

Ferrier died of breast cancer in October 1953.^[2]

Popular recitals

Works she was particularly well known for include:

• Bach
  • St Matthew Passion
  • B Minor Mass
• Brahms
  • Alto Rhapsody
  • Vier Ernste Gesange
• Chausson, Poeme de l'amour et de la Mer
• Mahler
  • Das Lied von der Erde
  • Kindertotenlieder
  • Rückert Lieder
• Gluck, Orfeo ed Euridice
• Handel, Messiah
• Schumann, Frauenliebe und -leben
• Various folk songs, including Blow the wind southerly, The Keel Row.

Ferrier performed some of these pieces in both their original language, and also in English. Examples include the St Matthew Passion, arias by Bach and Handel, and Gluck's Orfeo. Ferrier made numerous recordings in her short career, though some of her performances were not recorded, or recordings were destroyed. These include performances of Elgar's The Dream of Gerontius, and Messiah. Johann Sebastian Bach (pronounced ) (21 March 1685 O.S. – 28 July 1750 N.S.) was a prolific German composer and organist whose sacred and secular works for choir, orchestra and solo instruments drew together the strands of the Baroque period and brought it to its ultimate maturity. ... Bachs St. ... The Mass in B Minor (BWV 232) is a work of music by Johann Sebastian Bach. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Ernest Chausson (January 20, 1855 – June 10, 1899) was a late-blooming French romantic composer who died in an accident just as his career was beginning to flourish. ... This article cites its sources but does not provide page references. ... Das Lied von der Erde (The Song of the Earth) is particularly interesting among Gustav Mahlers symphonic works. ... Kindertotenlieder (Songs on the Death of Children) is a song cycle for voice and orchestra by Gustav Mahler. ... Mahlers Rückert-Lieder are 5 songs, based on poems written by Friedrich Rückert. ... Christoph Willibald (von) Gluck (July 2, 1714 - November 15, 1787) was a German composer, one of the most important opera composers of the Classical music era, particularly remembered for Orfeo ed Euridice. ... Orfeo ed Euridice is an opera by Christoph Willibald Gluck. ... George Frideric Handel (23 February 1685 – 14 April 1759) was a German-born British Baroque composer who was a leading composer of concerti grossi, operas and oratorios. ... Messiah (HWV 56, 1741), is an oratorio by George Frideric Handel. ... For others with the same name see Robert Schumann (disambiguation). ... Frauenliebe und -leben (A Womans Life and Love) is a song cycle with music by Robert Schumann and words by Adelbert von Chamisso. ... Sir Edward Elgar Sir Edward Elgar, 1st Baronet, OM, GCVO (2 June 1857 â€“ 23 February 1934) was an English Romantic composer. ... The Dream of Gerontius, popularly called just Gerontius, is an oratorio (Opus 38) in two parts composed by Edward Elgar in 1900, to text from the poem by Cardinal Newman. ... Messiah (HWV 56, 1741), is an oratorio by George Frideric Handel. ...

Music samples

Image File history File links KathleenFerrier_HaveMercyLordOnMe. ... Software development stages In computer programming, development stage terminology expresses how the development of a piece of software has progressed and how much further development it may require. ... Bachs St. ... Johann Sebastian Bach (pronounced ) (21 March 1685 O.S. – 28 July 1750 N.S.) was a prolific German composer and organist whose sacred and secular works for choir, orchestra and solo instruments drew together the strands of the Baroque period and brought it to its ultimate maturity. ... The Hall of Nations in the Kennedy Center, with the banner of the NSO. The National Symphony Orchestra (NSO) in Washington DC is a major American symphony orchestra that performs at the Kennedy Center. ... Sir (Harold) Malcolm (Watts) Sargent (April 29, 1895 – October 3, 1967) was a British conductor, organist and composer. ... The Kingsway Hall, Holborn, London, built in 1912, was the home of the West London Mission of the Methodist Church, and became one of the most important recording venues for classical music and film music. ... This article is about the capital of England and the United Kingdom. ... February 6 is the 37th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... Year 1946 (MCMXLVI) was a common year starting on Tuesday. ... Image File history File links KathleenFerrier_WhatIsLifeToMeWithoutThee. ... Software development stages In computer programming, development stage terminology expresses how the development of a piece of software has progressed and how much further development it may require. ... Orfeo ed Euridice is an opera by Christoph Willibald Gluck. ... Christoph Willibald (von) Gluck (July 2, 1714 - November 15, 1787) was a German composer, one of the most important opera composers of the Classical music era, particularly remembered for Orfeo ed Euridice. ... It has been suggested that London (orchestra) be merged into this article or section. ... Sir (Harold) Malcolm (Watts) Sargent (April 29, 1895 – October 3, 1967) was a British conductor, organist and composer. ... The Kingsway Hall, Holborn, London, built in 1912, was the home of the West London Mission of the Methodist Church, and became one of the most important recording venues for classical music and film music. ... This article is about the capital of England and the United Kingdom. ... February 27 is the 58th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... Year 1946 (MCMXLVI) was a common year starting on Tuesday. ...

Discography

• Bach, B Minor Mass, Suzanne Danco, Kathleen Ferrier, Peter Pears, Bruce Boyce, Norman Walker, BBC Chorus, Boyd Neel Orchestra, conducted by George Enescu, (1951), BBC
• Bach, St Matthew Passion, Greene, Suddaby, Ferrier, Cummings, Bach Choir, Jacques Orchestra, conducted by Reginald Jacques, Decca, now on Dutton. (1947/8)
• Bach and Handel arias (sung in English), London Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Adrian Boult, Decca, recorded 7th and 8th October, 1952.
• Brahms, Alto Rhapsody, Op 53, Men of the Oslo Philharmonic Chorus, Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra, Erik Tuxen, Oslo (1949), APR
  

Brahms, Alto Rhapsody, Op 53, Danish Radio Male Chorus, Danish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Fritz Busch (Copenhagen, 6 Oct., 1949, live perf.), Danacord
Suzanne Danco (born January 22, 1911 in Brussels; died August 10, 2000 in Fiesole, near Florence), was a celebrated Belgian soprano and mezzo-soprano. ... Norman Wardhaugh Walker (January 4, 1886 — June 6, 1985) was an English-American businessman and pioneer in the field of vegetable juicing and nutrional health. ... George Enescu George Enescu (pronunciation in Romanian: ; known in France as Georges Enesco) (August 19, 1881, Liveni – May 4, 1955, Paris) was a Romanian composer, violinist, pianist, conductor and teacher, preeminent Romanian musician of the 20th century, one of the greatest performers of his time. ... The London Philharmonic Orchestra (frequently abbreviated to LPO), based in London, is one of the major orchestras of the United Kingdom. ... Sir Adrian Cedric Boult (April 8, 1889 - February 22, 1983) was an English conductor. ... The Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra (founded 1919) is an orchestra based in Oslo, Norway. ... Erik Tuxen (July 4, 1902 - August 28, 1957) was a German-born orchestra conductor, composer and arranger, who worked for most of his life in Denmark. ... Appian Publications & Recordings is a British company specialising in the restoration and re-issue of early recordings of classical music. ...

• Brahms, Alto Rhapsody, Op 53, London Philharmonic Choir, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Clemens Krauss, (1947), Dutton (transferred from Decca)
• Benjamin Britten, The Rape of Lucretia (1946), Kathleen Ferrier, contralto (Lucretia), Peter Pears, Joan Cross, Owen Brannigan (Collatinus), Edmund Donleavy (Junius), Otakar Kraus, baritone (Tarquin), Anna Pollak (Bianca), Margaret Ritchie (Lucia) English Opera Group Orchestra directed by Hans Oppenheim, Gala
• Mahler, Das Lied von der Erde, Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, Bruno Walter, Julius Patzak (tenor), Decca, Polygram
• Mahler, Das Lied von der Erde, Hallé Orchestra, John Barbirolli, Richard Lewis (tenor), 1952, APR
• Mahler, Das Lied von der Erde, New York Philharmonic, Bruno Walter, Set Svanholm (tenor), 1948, Naxos
• Mahler, Kindertotenlieder, Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, Bruno Walter, EMI, 1949
• Mahler, Kindertotenlieder, Amsterdam Concertgebouw Orchestra, Otto Klemperer, Decca 1951
• Mahler, Symphony No. 2 in C minor "Resurrection", also Jo Vincent (Soprano), Amsterdam Concertgebouw Orchestra, Otto Klemperer, (1951), Archipel
• Schumann, Frauenliebe und -leben, Brahms and Schubert lieder, live at the 1949 Edinburgh Festival accompanied on the piano by Bruno Walter, Decca, 1949

Clemens Krauss (born in Vienna, March 31, 1893 – buried at Mexico City, May 16, 1954) was an Austrian conductor famed for his interpretations of the music of Richard Strauss, Richard Wagner and other German composers. ... A British soprano, she was among the founding members of Benjamin Brittens English Opera Group and created roles in many of his operas, including: Ellen Orford in Peter Grimes the Female Chorus in The Rape of Lucretia Lady Billows in Albert Herring Elizabeth I in Gloriana Mrs. ... Brannigan, Owen (b. ... Otakar Kraus (10 December 1909 — 28 July 1980) was a Czech (later British), operatic baritone and teacher. ... Margaret Ritchie (1903 - 1969) was an English soprano who sang opera, oratorio and song. ... The Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra (in German: Wiener Philharmoniker) is the principal orchestra in Austria and one of the finest in the world. ... Bruno Walter (September 15, 1876 - February 17, 1962) was a German-born conductor and composer. ... The Hallé Orchestra is one of Britains longest established orchestras, and is based in Manchester. ... Sir John (Giovanni Battista) Barbirolli (December 2, 1899 - July 29, 1970), was a British conductor and cellist who led the London Symphony Orchestra and the London Philharmonic Orchestra, among many others. ... Richard Lewis (May 10, 1914-November 13, 1990) was a English tenor. ... Appian Publications & Recordings is a British company specialising in the restoration and re-issue of early recordings of classical music. ... The New York Philharmonic is the oldest active symphony orchestra in the United States. ... The Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra (Koninklijk Concertgebouworkest in Dutch) is the best known and most respected orchestra in the Netherlands, and is generally considered to be among the worlds finest. ... Photographic portrait taken ca. ...

Biography

• Kathleen Ferrier - An Ordinary Diva, BBC Films, distributed by Universal Music & Video
• The life of Kathleen Ferrier by Winifred Ferrier, Readers Union, 1956
• Letters and Diaries of Kathleen Ferrier by Christopher Fifield (Editor), The Boydell Press, 2003
• Kathleen Ferrier by Jérôme Spycket
• "Kathleen Ferrier" An article from Musical Opinion by Judith Monk
• La voix de Kathleen Ferrier Essai by Benoît Mailliet Le Penven
• Kathleen Ferrier, 1912-1953 A memoir by Neville Cardus, London, Hamilton, 1954
• Ferrier - A Career Recorded (detailed discography) by Paul Campion, Thames/Elkin, 2005
• Kathleen by Maurice Leonard, Hutchinson 1988

Sir Neville Cardus (2 April 1889 - 27 February 1975) was a celebrated British journalist. ...

References

• ^a b  "Everything you need to know about Kathleen Ferrier", BBC. URL last accessed on April 4, 2006.

The British Broadcasting Corporation, usually known as the BBC (and also informally known as the Beeb or Auntie) is one of the largest broadcasting corporations in the world in terms of audience numbers, employing 26,000 staff in the UK alone and with a budget of more than £4 billion. ...

External links

• Sir John Barbirolli's tribute
• iClassics discography
• Artist Profiles: Kathleen Ferrier
• Selected discography is a dead link; use the Internet Archive link here instead