The British Musical Biography

[E] Macirone, Clara Angela, composer,
pianist, and teacher, born in London, in 1821.
Descended from an ancient and noble Roman
family. Her grandfather, who settled in
England, served in the American war of
Independence. Her father was a skilled
amateur tenor singer, and her mother a
cultivated pianist, pupil of Charles Neate.
Her musical talent developed early with such
home surroundings, and her sister (who died
in 1888) became a water-colour painter of note.
Miss Macirone entered the R.A.M. in 1839,
studying under Cipriani Potter, W. H. Holmes,
Charles Lucas, and others. On leaving, in
1842, she received a testimonial from the
committee, a circumstance quite unique.
She was made a professor of the pf. there,
and elected an Associate of the Philharmonic
Society, and F. R.A.M. Her first concert was
given in the Hanover Square Rooms, June 26,
1846, when Pischek sang a Benedictus of
her composition. This work, later, received
praise from Mendelssohn. The concerts were
continued until 1864, and then her chief work
was in teaching and composing. She was
head music mistress at Aske's School for
Girls, Hatcham, 1872-8 ; and at the Church
of England High School for Girls, Baker
Street, London, she systematised the music
teaching with the best results. The last few
years have been passed in comparative retire-
ment. In addition to composition, she has
contributed many articles to the Girls Own
Paper, the Argosy, and other periodicals.

[W] Works. — Te Deum and Jubilate, sung at
Hanover Chapel, the first service by a woman
ever used in the Church ; Anthem, By the
waters of Babylon, sung at Canterbury, Ely,
and other cathedrals, etc. Sacred songs, and
duets. Songs : Cavalier's song ; Henri de
Lagardere ; My child ; Golden grain ; Dreams ;
The Recall ; Hesperus ; Oh, hush thee my
babie ; Sweet and Low ; The Balaclava charge ;
There is dew for the fiow'ret ; Montrose's
Love Song, and many others. Part-songs :
The Battle of the Baltic ; Sir Knight (sung at
the composer's concert by four artists of
repute. May 20, 1862) ; Autolycus' song ; Jog
on, jog on the footpath way ; The Avon to
the Severn runs ; Old Daddy Longlegs (in the
programme of the Tonic Sol-fa Festival,
Exeter Hall, May 15, 1882, but the words
were objected to by the authorities of the
Hall, and another piece had to be substituted);

[+] Humptie Dumptie ; Echoes ; When summer's
come at last ; A Christmas welcome ; etc.
Children's songs : I had a little castle ; Little
Boy Blue ; Little grey pussy cat. Suite de
pieces in E minor, violin and pf. ; Summer
serenade ; Cantilena ; Nacht Reise Lied ;
Rondino in G, and other pieces for pf.
Several works in jMS.

entry id: 263-L-10