The British Musical Biography

[E] Macfarren, Mrs. John, born Emma
jMarie Benxett, pianist, composer, and lec-
turer, born in London, June 19, 1824. Began
her musical studies at an early age, her
teachers being W. H. Kearns, and later,
Madame Dulcken. Composition she studied
under (Sir) G. A. Macfarren. In 1846 she
married Mr. John Macfarren, a brother of
Sir George, and the couple went to New York,
remaining in the United States three years.
Her talent was duly recognised there, but
home associations drew her back to London.
She gave her first concert at the New Beet-
hoven Rooms, April 12, 1851, playing in
W. H. Holmes's quartet for four pianists
" Uns Romance de Deux Minutes," with the
composer, Arabella Goddard, and William
Dorrell. Cipriani Potter and Sterudale
Bennett also played at this concert — a remark-
able gathering of pifinists. Musical matint^es
were thjn given annually, and also concerts
in the suburbs, up to the year 1883. In 1860
Mrs. Macfarren first appeared as a lecturer at
St. Jamas's Hall. These lectures were virtu-
ally pianoforte recitals, with remarks on the
works performed, written expressly for her by
G. A. Macfarren. They were extended over
many years, and also given in the provinces.
Under tlie noin-de-plume of Jules Brissac
she produced a great number of pf. pieces,
amongst the most popular being ' ' Bonnie
Scotland," and a " Valse de Bravoure."
From 1883 her time was devoted exclusively
to teaching and writing, and she died in
London, after a brief but painful illness, on
November 9, 1895.

entry id: 261-L-23