Clara Novello Davies

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

Clara Novello Davies was born in Cardiff to Jacob, a miner, and Margaret (née Evans) Davies and named after Clara Novello, a famous soprano (1818-1908). Her father, leader of the church choir, taught her to play the harmonium. She married David Davies, a solicitor's clerk, on 31 October 1883. 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 the age of 30.

In 1883 she 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 New York based Novello Davies Artist Choir was invited to the 1937 Paris Exposition. This choir also raised funds for charity during WWII.

She died in London in 1943, aged 81, and was cremated in Golders Green cemetery.

References

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

Persondata
Name	Davies, Clara Novello
Alternative names	Davies, Clara Davies
Short description	Welsh singer, teacher and conductor
Date of birth	7 April 1861
Place of birth	Cardiff, Wales, UK
Date of death	7 February 1943 (aged 81)
Place of death	London, England, UK