Marianne Davies
Encyclopedia
Marianne Davies was an English
musician
, and the sister of the classical
soprano
Cecilia Davies
.
In 1762 she became the first person to publicly perform on the glass harmonica
(also known as the armonica), an instrument consisting of variously sized and tuned glass bowls that rotate on a common shaft, played by touching the spinning glass with wet fingers. She toured in concerts with her sister, performing in Dublin (1763), London, and on the Continent where the two girls became acquainted with the Mozart family.
She corresponded regularly with inventor Ben Franklin.Various correspondence in the historical archives outlines her failing health, and her desire to have the opportunity to play the instrument again before her death.
Her correspondence is published on William Zeitler's website; William Zeitler
being one of the world's leading present-day armonicists.
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
musician
Musician
A musician is an artist who plays a musical instrument. It may or may not be the person's profession. Musicians can be classified by their roles in performing music and writing music.Also....* A person who makes music a profession....
, and the sister of the classical
Classical music
Classical music is the art music produced in, or rooted in, the traditions of Western liturgical and secular music, encompassing a broad period from roughly the 11th century to present times...
soprano
Soprano
A soprano is a voice type with a vocal range from approximately middle C to "high A" in choral music, or to "soprano C" or higher in operatic music. In four-part chorale style harmony, the soprano takes the highest part, which usually encompasses the melody...
Cecilia Davies
Cecilia Davies
Cecilia Davies was an English classical soprano who had an active international career in concerts and operas during the second half of the 18th century. In Italy she was dubbed with the name "l'Inglesina". She was the sister of Marianne Davies who was the first professional glass harmonica musician...
.
In 1762 she became the first person to publicly perform on the glass harmonica
Glass harmonica
The glass harmonica, also known as the glass armonica, bowl organ, hydrocrystalophone, or simply the armonica , is a type of musical instrument that uses a series of glass bowls or goblets graduated in size to produce musical tones by means of friction The glass harmonica, also known as the glass...
(also known as the armonica), an instrument consisting of variously sized and tuned glass bowls that rotate on a common shaft, played by touching the spinning glass with wet fingers. She toured in concerts with her sister, performing in Dublin (1763), London, and on the Continent where the two girls became acquainted with the Mozart family.
She corresponded regularly with inventor Ben Franklin.Various correspondence in the historical archives outlines her failing health, and her desire to have the opportunity to play the instrument again before her death.
Her correspondence is published on William Zeitler's website; William Zeitler
William Zeitler
William Zeitler is one of the world's leading performers on the armonica, or glass harmonica, an instrument invented by Benjamin Franklin.Also composer.-External links:*...
being one of the world's leading present-day armonicists.
External links
- Biography at "Glassarmonica"
- http://www.thomasbloch.net/en_glassharmonica.htmlAbout the glassharmonica, many pictures, videos, history, discography and works on glassharmonicist virtuoso Thomas BlochThomas BlochThomas Bloch is a classical musician specializing in the rare instruments ondes Martenot, glass harmonica, and Cristal Baschet....
website] - Biography