The centenary of composer Elizabeth Maconchy occurs in 2007.

Born to Irish parents and brought up in Ireland, she came to London in 1923 at the age of 16 to attend the Royal College of Music. There she studied with Ralph Vaughan Williams, with whom she became lifelong friends, and began a long career in which she became a pioneering role model for female musicians.

At a time when it was difficult for a woman to be taken seriously as a composer, she pursued her work with determination and wrote a wealth of music for a wide range of mediums: opera, orchestral, chamber and vocal works. She was actively involved in many areas of the music profession and managed to combine this with raising a family. Throughout her life she retained strong connections with Ireland, as does her daughter, composer Nicola LeFanu.

As her centenary year approaches it is timely to bring her significant output to the attention of Irish performers and programmers with a view to hearing some of her music in this country.

Read more about Elizabeth Maconchy in a survey by writer and broadcaster Anthony Burton in the Articles section of this site.

Posted: 30 November 2005