Helen Radnor

Helen Matilda Chaplin Pleydell-Bouverie Radnor, Countess of Radnor, Viscountess Folkestone (21 March 1846 - 11 September 1929) was a British composer, conductor, and singer who helped found the Royal College of Music in London. She formed and conducted an all-female string orchestra and chorus, and was generally known as Lady Helen Radnor. Radnor was born in Ryhall, England, to Caroline Horatia Ellice and the Reverend Henry Chaplin. Her older brother (born in 1840) was Henry Chaplin, 1st Viscount Chaplin. In June 1866 she married William Pleydell-Bouverie 5th Earl of Radnor. They had two sons and two daughters. Radnor commissioned several works for her orchestra and chorus. The best known of these commissions is Lady Radnor’s Suite by Sir Hubert Parry, who was a personal friend. Radnor conducted the piece’s premiere on June 29, 1894, at St. James Hall. It remains in the string repertoire today. Radnor was well-connected socially and helped found the Royal College of Music in London. Radnor composed sacred music and edited several orders of service with music, including services for thanksgiving and choral communion. Her works, all vocal, were published by Novello & Co., *Hymns *Son