Evelyn Barbirolli facts for kids

Evelyn Barbirolli (born Evelyn Rothwell) was a very famous oboe player. She was born in Wallingford-on-Thames, England, on January 24, 1911. She passed away on January 25, 2008. She received a special honor: she became an honorary member of the Royal Philharmonic Society. Only 116 people have ever been given this award! Evelyn was married to the famous conductor Sir John Barbirolli. She was known as Evelyn Rothwell until after her husband's death, when she started using the name Evelyn Barbirolli for her work. She became well-known at a time when very few women played in orchestras.

Evelyn Barbirolli's Life Story

Early Years and Musical Journey

Evelyn Rothwell's father sold tea in London. Her mother was related to Charles Reade, a famous 19th century novelist. Evelyn started learning the oboe at her school, Downe House. Her father didn't want her to study music, but she eventually got to go to the Royal College of Music. There, she studied the oboe as her main instrument and the piano as a second one. She also played the cello and timpani.

While at the Royal College of Music, Evelyn was a student at the same time as the famous composer Benjamin Britten. He sometimes asked her to play new oboe music he had just written.

Evelyn began her professional career playing the oboe in the Drury Lane orchestra. Soon after, she joined the Royal Opera House touring company. The conductor for this company was John Barbirolli.

Becoming a Star Oboist

John Barbirolli later became the conductor of the Scottish Orchestra (now called the Royal Scottish National Orchestra). He offered Evelyn the important job of first oboe player in this orchestra. He even arranged a concerto by Handel especially for her to play.

Evelyn played several other concertos with John Barbirolli conducting, and they made many recordings together. The composer Ralph Vaughan Williams was very happy with their recording of his oboe concerto. Several other composers also wrote music just for Evelyn. Henry Wood made her the first oboist in the New Queen’s Hall Orchestra.

Life as a Married Musician

Evelyn married John Barbirolli in 1939. By this time, John was the conductor of the New York Philharmonic orchestra, taking over after Arturo Toscanini left. Evelyn and John lived in New York until 1943. They then moved back to England so John could conduct the Hallé Orchestra in Manchester.

Evelyn sometimes played in the Hallé Orchestra, but not very often. She didn't want people to think she got to play only because her husband was the conductor. However, when the Hallé Orchestra traveled to Austria in 1948, she performed Mozart’s oboe concerto with them. At that time, most people only knew this piece as an arrangement for the flute.

In Manchester, Evelyn helped her husband a lot. She acted as his secretary and drove him everywhere. She was always by his side at rehearsals to support him. As John Barbirolli became ill, Evelyn spent almost all her time with him instead of playing the oboe. She traveled with him to America when he became the conductor of the Houston Symphony Orchestra. John continued to work hard even when he wasn't feeling well. In his last years, they faced some money troubles.

After Her Husband's Passing

After John Barbirolli passed away in 1970, Evelyn started playing her oboe again. She also taught at the Royal Academy of Music. People often called her “Lady Barbirolli” or “Lady B.” She frequently served as an adjudicator (judge) at music competitions. Her students looked up to her because she was honest and kind.

Evelyn wrote a book called Oboe Technique and another one called The Oboist’s Companion, which was in three parts. She also wrote her own life story, an autobiography, called Living with Glorious John. She was awarded an OBE in 1984 for her contributions. Evelyn Barbirolli died the day after her 97th birthday.