Laura Evans-Williams
Laura Evans-Williams (7 September 1883 – 5 October 1944) was a Welsh soprano singer.
Early life and education
Laura Evans was born in Henllan, Denbighshire in the north-east Wales and was the eldest child of a veterinarian, John Evans, and his wife Ellen Evans. Her sister was the director Eleanor Evans. Evans-Williams was educated at Howell's School, Denbigh and later the Royal Academy of Music where she studied under the guidance of Edward Iles who helped to develop her voice.[1]
Career
She started her career as a contralto singer and won prizes at several eisteddfodau. She performed in the 1911 edition of The Proms in the event's 28th day. Evans-Williams also interpreted several operatic arias, particularly Welsh folk-songs and toured extensively with fellow contralto singer Clara Butt during World War I.[1][2]
In 1910, Evans-Williams was featured as soloist in Edward Elgar's Caractacus in London, with Merlin Morgan conducting.[3]
Evans-Williams had been invited to give the performance of the National Eisteddfod's traditional chairing song at the 1917 event held in Birkenhead, but she sang I Blas Gogerddan when it was announced the winner of the chair, Ellis Evans, had been killed in battle.[4] She sang the chairing song when the Eisteddfod moved to Wrexham sixteen years later, and received an encore.[1]
Evans-Williams undertook a concert tour of the United States in 1925-1926.[5] She was the first Welsh artist to broadcast from Savoy Hill.[1]
Personal life
Laura Evans-Williams moved back to Colwyn Bay in 1940 after living in London and taught singing until she died on 5 October 1944. Evans-Williams was survived by her husband for 39 years, R.T. Williams, and two children; she was buried at Henllan.[1]
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 Iorwerth Ellis, Thomas. "Evans-Williams, Laura". Dictionary of Welsh Biography. Retrieved 16 April 2016.
- ↑ "Proms 1911 Prom 28 - event". BBC. Retrieved 16 April 2016.
- ↑ "The London Welsh Choral Society" The Times (4 May 1910): 12. via Newspapers.com
- ↑ "A Sad Moment at the Eisteddfod" Vancouver Daily World (26 October 1917): 6. via Newspapers.com
- ↑ "Recital to be Given at Bethania Church" Scranton Republican (4 February 1925): 5. via Newspapers.com