Helen Radnor

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Helen Matilda Chaplin Pleydell-Bouverie Radnor, Countess of Radnor, Viscountess Folkestone (21 March 1846 - 11 September 1929) [1] was a British composer, [2] conductor, and singer [3] who helped found the Royal College of Music in London. [4] She formed and conducted an all-female string orchestra and chorus, [5] and was generally known as Lady Helen Radnor.

Radnor was born in Ryhall, England, to Caroline Horatia Ellice and the Reverend Henry Chaplin. Her older brother (born in 1840) was Henry Chaplin, 1st Viscount Chaplin. In June 1866 she married William Pleydell-Bouverie 5th Earl of Radnor. They had two sons and two daughters. [1] One of their sons was Jacob Pleydell-Bouverie, 6th Earl of Radnor .

Little is known about Radnor’s education other than her vocal studies with Pauline Viardot. In 1881, Radnor formed and conducted an all-female string orchestra and chorus. Its first performance was a benefit for the Stafford House, which raised 1,000 pounds. [5] Later that year, the orchestra performed at Henry David Leslie’s Oswestry Festival. The orchestra existed for 15 years, performing annual concerts to benefit various charities in London, Oxford, and elsewhere. Barnum and Bailey invited the group to perform in America. Ultimately, it consisted of 80 string players and 120 vocalists. [6] [7]

Radnor commissioned several works for her orchestra and chorus. The best known of these commissions is Lady Radnor’s Suite by Sir Hubert Parry, who was a personal friend. Radnor conducted the piece’s premiere on June 29, 1894, at St. James Hall. It remains in the string repertoire today. [8]

Radnor was well-connected socially and helped found the Royal College of Music in London. [4] She corresponded with Edward Elgar, George Grove, Charles Halle, George Henschel, Henry David Leslie, August Manns, and Wilma Neruda, among others. [7] Her papers are privatedly archived and can be accessed through the Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre. [9]

Radnor composed sacred music and edited several orders of service with music, including services for thanksgiving and choral communion. Her works, all vocal, were published by Novello & Co., [3] and include:

References

  1. 1 2 "Helen Radnor". ancestors.familysearch.org. Retrieved 2026-01-24.
  2. ↑ Stern, Susan (1978). Women composers: a handbook. Metuchen, N.J: Scarecrow Press. p. 138. ISBN   978-0-8108-1138-6.
  3. 1 2 3 Cohen, Aaron I. (1987). International Encyclopedia of Women Composers. Books & Music USA. p. 570. ISBN   978-0-9617485-1-7.
  4. 1 2 Groh, Jan Bell (1994). Evening the Score: Women in Music and the Legacy of Frédérique Petrides. University of Arkansas Press. ISBN   978-1-55728-325-2.
  5. 1 2 3 Wyndham, Henry Saxe; L'Epine, Geoffrey (1915). Who's who in Music: A Biographical Record of Contemporary Musicians. I. Pitman & Sons.
  6. 1 2 Music, NWPB (2021-03-22). "Women's History Music Moment: Helen, Countess of Radnor". Northwest Public Broadcasting. Retrieved 2026-01-24.
  7. 1 2 Rudd, Philip Christopher (2017). "Countess, conductor, pioneer: Lady Radnor and the phenomenon of the Victorian Ladies' Orchestra". iro.uiowa.edu. Retrieved 2026-01-24.
  8. ↑ Chadwick, Fr Anthony (2015-08-17). "Lady Radnor's Suite". The Blue Flower. Retrieved 2026-01-24.
  9. ↑ Archives, The National. "Pleydell-Bouverie, Helen Matilda , (1846-1929), Countess of Radnor". discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk. Retrieved 2026-01-24.
  10. ↑ "Helen Matilda P. Bouverie Song Texts | LiederNet". www.lieder.net. Retrieved 2026-01-24.
  11. ↑ Laurence, Anya (1978). Women of Notes: 1,000 Women Composers Born Before 1900. New York: Richards Rosen Press Inc. p. 49.
  12. ↑ Stewart-Green, Miriam (1980). Women composers: a checklist of works for the solo voice. A Reference publication in women's studies. Boston, Mass: G.K. Hall. p. 112. ISBN   978-0-8161-8498-9.
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