Florence Eva Simpson (1865–1923), who wrote under the name of Elva Lorence, was a British composer, as well as a writer of books, plays and poetry.[1]
Work
editFlorence Simpson initially made a name for herself as a composer of songs and ballads. Her first known published song being Her Childhood’s Kingdom, written in 1893. Many of her songs set poems written and published by her sister, Katherine Ashton Simpson, who became a well known writer and artist.[1] She also set a number of the poems of Fred G. Bowles.
By the mid-1890s she was well known and acclaimed, and the songs were popular and widely performed by amateur and professional singers.[2] The dramatic contralto Clara Butt regularly sang Simpson's song Old Donald's Lament.[3] While American contralto Antoinette Sterling, had Simpson's songs My ein Countrie and There is Rest is for the Weary in her repertoire. She sang There is Rest is for the Weary in Prince's Hall on Piccadilly in May 1894, the audience demanding an encoure.[4] Colleen Alannah and Barnbima were performed by Alice Gomez. While A Window in Spain was a favourite of the singers Madame Belle Cole and Miss Osborne Rayner.[3]
Florence Simpson and her sister collaborated on several operettas; the comic opera Nanette or The Mermaid's Bubble (1896)[5] and A Peep into Flowerland or Terra Flora (1902).[6]
Simpson also published a number of short stories as well as published plays, poetry and books.[6] Her short stories were published in newspapers and were powerful and popular with readers.[7] Most notable is perhaps her Christmas ghost story, The Demon Motor: Story of New Year's Eve, published in 1901.[8]
Private life
editOne of 14 children, Florence Simpson was born to the Reverend Michael Henry Simpson (1816–1888) and his wife Elizabeth, née Hendrick (1806–1905).[9] On her mother's side, she was part of an old north country family, being a great-great-granddaughter of Lord Lever of Alkrington Hall.[10]
Her father went on to be Vicar of the Church of St Philip and St James, Tow Law, County Durham, between 1862 and 1888. Simpson and her siblings grew up at the Vicarage in Tow Law. Her youngest sister Alice Pickering (1860–1939), became a tennis player who twice reached the final of the Wimbledon Championship.[9]
Compositions and writing
editOperettas & Pagents
- Nanette or The Mermaid's Bubble (1896). Words by Katherine Ashton Simpson.[5]
- A Peep into Flowerland or Terra Flora (1902) Music by Florence Simpson and George Kennedy Chrystie, and words by Katherine Ashton Simpson.[6]
- Pegotty's Dream (1904). Music by Flora Simpson and George Kennedv Chrystie [11]
Songs
- Donna Dear. Publication date unknown but pre-1896.[12]
- Bambina. Publication date unknown but pre-1895.[2]
- My ain Countrie. Publication date unknown but pre-1895.[2]
- Coleen Alannah.Publication date unknown but pre-1895.[2]
- Donna Dear. Publication date unknown but pre-1896.[12]
- Her Childhood's Kingdom (1893). Words by Katherine Ashton Simpson.[13]
- Old Donald's Lament (1894).[2] Published by Ransford & Sons.[14]
- There is Rest for the Weary (1894).[4]
- A Window in Spain (1895). Published in London by Ascherberg & Co. Words by Fred G. Bowles (1895)[15]
- Hips & Haws (1895). Published in London by Ascherberg & Co. Words by Fred G. Bowles[15]
- Thelma (1896). Words by Katherine Ashton Simpson.[12]
- O’er the Water: Vesper Hymn of the Nuns (1896).[16]
- Sailor Boy Blue (1898). Published in London by Evans & Co.[3] Words by Fred G. Bowles.[17]
- Flowerland (1904). Published by Novello & Co.[18]
Selected Other Writing
- Sunday's Child (1898). Short story serialised in the Newcastle Chronicle.[19]
- The Lass of Craigarrich (1900). Story serialised in the Weekly Record.[20]
- The Demon Motor: Story of New Year's Eve (1901). Short ghost story published by the Buckingham Advertiser & Free Press [8]
- A Corner in Japan (1902). A one act comedy play.[11]
References
edit- ^ a b "Katherine Ashton Simpson". Art UK. Retrieved 11 September 2024.
- ^ a b c d e "A Window in Spain". Northern Guardian (Hartlepool). Northern Guardian (Hartlepool). 14 September 1895. Retrieved 28 September 2024.
- ^ a b c "Sailor Boy Blue: New Song by a Local Author". Northern Guardian (Hartlepool). Northern Guardian (Hartlepool). 1 July 1898. Retrieved 28 September 2024.
- ^ a b "Miss Louise Nanney's Concert". The Era. The Era. 19 May 1894. Retrieved 28 September 2024.
- ^ a b "Nanetto or The Mermaid's Bubble". Shileds Daily News. 25 August 1896. Retrieved 20 September 2024.
- ^ a b c "A Peep Into Flowerland or Terra Flora". Newcastle Journal. 1 December 1902. Retrieved 20 September 2024.
- ^ "The Lass of Craigarrich: Powerful new serial begins in the weekly record on sale today". Daily Record. Daily Record. 2 March 1900. Retrieved 29 September 2024.
- ^ a b Lorence, Elva (4 January 1902). "The Demon Motor: Story of New Year's Eve". Buckingham Advertiser & Free Press. Retrieved 27 September 2024.
- ^ a b Ryan, Mark. "Alice Simpson Pickering - An Early Lawn Tennis Player". Tennis Forum. Retrieved 11 September 2024.
- ^ "Local Weddings: Pearce Ellis - Simpson". Britisth Press Archive. Gloucester Journal. Retrieved 14 September 2024.
- ^ a b "A NEW MUSICAL PLAY". Newcastle Chronicle. Newcastle Chronicle. 20 December 1904. Retrieved 28 September 2024.
- ^ a b c "Literature, Art & Drama". Newcastle Chronicle. Newcastle Chronicle. 7 March 1896. Retrieved 28 September 2024.
- ^ "Her Childhood Kingdom". Newcastle Chronicle. Newcastle Chronicle. 28 January 1893. Retrieved 28 September 2024.
- ^ "Crotchets & Quavers". The Gentlewoman. The Gentlewoman. 3 February 1894. Retrieved 29 September 2024.
- ^ a b "New Songs". Newcastle Chronicle. Newcastle Chronicle. 28 September 1895. Retrieved 28 September 2024.
- ^ "Music Received for Review". The Queen. The Queen. 12 December 1896. Retrieved 29 September 2024.
- ^ "Local & District: New Music". Hartlepool Northern Daily Mail. 28 June 1898. Retrieved 28 September 2024.
- ^ "Players & Singers". Newcastle Chronicle. Retrieved 29 September 2024.
- ^ "Sunday's Child". Newcastle Chronicle. Newcastle Chronicle. 19 March 1898. Retrieved 29 September 2024.
- ^ "The Lass of Craigarrich: Powerful new serial begins in the weekly record on sale today". Daily Record. Daily Record. 2 March 1900. Retrieved 29 September 2024.