Born: January 5, 1893 - Leeds, England Died: April 24, 1980 - Radlett, Hertfordshire, England
Elsie Suddaby was a leading British soprano of the inter-war years and the equal of Isobel Baillie. She was a pupil of Sir Edward Bairstow.
Elsie Suddaby was a star of the concert hall for over 40 years. She was a pioneer of both broadcasting and the gramophone. She was known as ‘The Lass With The Delicate Air’ (taken from the title of one of her most popular songs). She performed several solo pieces at the 1954 Lawnswood High School Centenary concert in the Town Hall. Elsie is named in the programme as contributing to the concert “as an Old Girl of the school”. She was recorded much by HMV. Her singing had a freshness and spontaneity all its own. Her style and tone pre-echo that of Emma Kirkby.
There is a room in the Town Hall named after Elsie Suddaby. Quoted from the Leeds City Of Music Website: It is especially good to have a prominent room beneath the stage named after one of Yorkshire's queens of song – the lyric soprano Elsie Suddaby.”
Source: Lawnswood High School Alumnae Website; Amphion Recordings Website; Liner notes to the CD 'Stars of the English Oratorio Vol. 2 (Dutton Laboratories, 1998)
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