Clara Novello Davies

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Clara Novello Davies (April 7, 1861 – February 7, 1943), was a well-known Welsh singer, teacher and conductor.

Clara was born in Cardiff, and took her stage name from that of another famous singer born forty-three years earlier, Clara Novello. She married David Davies, a tax collector. Their son, David Ivor Davies, became better known as Ivor Novello, the actor, composer, dramatist and director. Their adopted daughter, who was born Marie Williams but took the name Marie Novello, was an accomplished concert pianist, but throat cancer cut her life short at age 30.

Clara founded and conducted the Welsh Ladies Choir, which won prizes at the World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago (1893) and the Paris Exposition (1899). She was still conducting into her seventies when her choir was invited back to the 1937 Paris Exposition. She died in London.

[edit] References

• Grove Music Online (subscription) (accessed 17 March 2007)