DAVIES, MARY (1855 - 1930), singer

Born in London, 27 February 1855, daughter of William Davies (Mynorydd, 1826 - 1901). Her singing at the Welsh concerts in the capital brought her into prominence while she was still young; her first teachers were Henry Brinley Richards and Megan Watts Hughes. She joined the Welsh Choral Union which was then under the conductorship of John Thomas (Pencerdd Gwalia, 1826 - 1913), and, in 1873 won a scholarship, given by the Union, to the Royal Academy of Music; this was originally tenable for three years but, owing to her success in the Academy, was extended to five. She made her first professional appearance as a singer at a concert organized by Brinley Richards in 1873; the same year she appeared at the national eisteddfod at Mold and at the Harlech music festival. She became celebrated and her services were in demand for leading parts in the complete works of the masters as well as for concerts at S. James's Hall, London, and the Hallé, Manchester. In 1888 she married W. Cadwaladr Davies, registrar of University College, Bangor, and after his death in 1905 went to live in London. In 1906 she took the lead in founding the Welsh Folk Song Society, of which she was elected president. In 1916 the University of Wales conferred on her the honorary degree of Mus. Doc. and in 1929 she was awarded the medal of the Honourable Society of Cymmrodorion for her services to music. She died 22 June 1930 and was buried in her husband's grave in Glanadda cemetery, Bangor.

Author

• Robert David Griffith, (1877 - 1958)

Sources

• Hearth and Home, 1892
• Y Cerddor, November 1892, October 1900, 1930

Further Reading

• Wyn Thomas, 'Davies, Mary (1855-1930)', Cydymaith i Gerddoriaeth Cymru (Talybont 2018), p.140
• Wikipedia Article: Mary Davies

Additional Links

• NLW Archives: NLW Misc. Vol. 89: Address book? of Mary Davies (1855-1930), singer
• VIAF: 312881872
• Wikidata: Q6779297

Published date: 1959

Article Copyright: http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC-RUU/1.0/