Elsie Suddaby (Soprano)

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)
Contributed by Aryeh Oron (December 2003, August 2006)

Recordings of Bach Cantatas & Other Vocal Works

Conductor

As

Works

Under her name

Soprano

Aria from BWV 68

John Barbirolli

Soprano

Aria from BWV 70

Lawrance Collingwood

Soprano

Aria from BWV 201

Reginald Jacques

Soprano

BWV 244

Links to other Sites

Famous Old Girls (Lawnswood High School Alumnae Website)

Elsie Suddaby (Amphion Recordings)
PHI CD 140: Elsie Suddaby - The Lass with the delicate air Volume 2 Recorded 1924-1949 (Amphion)