The British Musical Biography

[E] Bright, Dora Estella, pianist and com-
poser, born at Sheffield, August 16th, 1863.
Upon the death of her father, an excellent
amateur violinist, in 1881, she entered the

[+] R.A.M., studying the pianoforte under Walter
Macfarren, and composition under Ebenezer
Prout. She remained at the Acadenry until
1888, gaining the Potter Exhibition in 1884,
and other prizes, including the Lucas Medal,
for composition, in 1888, being the first woman
to obtain that honour. During this time she
wrote several iniportant works. Her progress
as a pianist was such that she was allowed to
appear at the Promenade Concerts, Covent
Garden, in October, 1882. She began her
pianoforte recitals in January, 1889, and ap-
peared at the Crystal Palace Concerts, March
28th, 1891, playing her Pianoforte Concerto
in A minor. The next year (May 11th), she
played her Fantasia in G, for pf. and orches-
tra, at the Philharmonic Concerts, the first
instance of an orchestral work by a woman
being admitted to the programme of the
Society. She gave recitals of English music,
from Byrd to Cowen, in 1892, and in October,
1895, began a series of national pianoforte
recitals. Her first continental tour was
undertaken in the autumn of 1889, when she
appeared with success at Dresden, Cologne,
and Leipzig. 1\\ 1892, she was married to
Captain KnatchbuU, of Bath.

[W] Works. — Air with variations, orchestra,
London, 1890 ; Concerto in A minor, pf. and
orchestra, London, 1888 ; Concerto, No. 2,
Cologne, 1892 ; Fantasia in G, 1892 ; Quartet
in D, pf. and strings, 1893 ; Suite, violin and
pf., 1890 ; Duo, two pianos. Musical Artists'
Society, 1886. Pieces for pf. and flute, pf.
solo; Twelve songs (Novello), etc.

entry id: 61-L-60