Description
In 1927 Elizabeth Campbell returned home to Melbourne, Australia, broken-hearted at leaving England after attending the Royal College of Music in London under the expert guidance of Dr. Henry Ley, doyen of organ masters at both the RCM and Eton College. During her studies she made many friends and travelled extensively. In May 1933, by now a celebrated church organist and choir mistress, Elizabeth makes her long-awaited return as part of the RCM’s Jubilee celebrations and records each day of her year’s stay in four notebooks. In them she paints a unique portrait of London and England’s people, towns and countryside between the wars and still in the grip of the Great Depression. Seen through the eyes of not just a visitor but a passionate observer wholly enamoured with their subject, she presents an intimate social history that leaves the reader feeling they’ve lived every moment. Her diary notebooks, all marked ‘Strictly Private’, were saved from Cyclone Tracy’s destruction of Darwin (Christmas Eve 1974) by her great niece, Rosalind Hartshorn, who thankfully has decided to share her beloved Great Aunt Betha’s fascinating observations before they remained hidden forever.
PLEASE NOTE THAT THE COVER IS REPRODUCED FROM ONE OF THE FOUR ORIGINAL DIARY NOTEBOOKS.
REVIEWS: "She writes with such an enthusiasm, and her descriptions are delightful. As a picture of life in another age it is perfect." (Julia Aries, Archivist, Glyndebourne Opera Festival) "The personal and sentimental value of such a diary is perfectly palpable as a record of London (and to some extent English) life in the 1930s. It is certainly a joy to read and Campbell’s humanity and gentleness is evident on virtually every page." (Curtis Rogers, The Organ Magazine)
"Details
Publisher - Jaromin Publishing
Language - English
Paperback
Contributors
Author
Elizabeth Campbell
Robert Cox
Robert Cox
Published Date - December 13 2023
ISBN - 9780954590987
Dimensions - 26.0 x 19.0 x 1.2 cm
Page Count - 271
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