Description

AGNES HELEN NICHOLLS (CHELTENHAM, 14 JULY, 1876 – LONDON, 21 SEPTEMBER, 1959)

She began her singing studies in 1894 at the Royal College of Music in London, where she trained under Alberto Antonio Visetti. While still a student, she performed for Queen Victoria, showcasing her promising talent. Her stage debut came in 1895 at London’s Lyceum Theatre, where she sang Dido in Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas, and by 1897, she was also performing in concert venues.

In 1904, she married English conductor Sir Hamilton Harty and embarked on a highly successful concert tour in North America. Her operatic career at Covent Garden began in 1901, with her debut as the Dewman in Hansel and Gretel, but she soon gained recognition as a prominent Wagnerian soprano. Her performances as Sieglinde in Die Walküre and Brünnhilde in Siegfried under the baton of Hans Richter in 1908, as well as Elsa in Lohengrin alongside Ernst Kraus in 1910, were particularly celebrated. She also impressed audiences as Donna Elvira in Don Giovanni and Nannetta in Verdi’s Falstaff.

Throughout the 1920s, she performed with English companies such as the Denhof, Beecham, and British National Opera Companies, as well as the Carl Rosa Opera Company. Notably, in 1925, she sang Brünnhilde in Die Walküre with the British National Opera under Sir Thomas Beecham. Alongside her opera career, she was a distinguished concert and oratorio singer, with several oratorio soprano roles by Hubert Parry written specifically for her voice. Parry even dedicated the tenth book of his English Lyrics (1909) to her, honoring her unique contribution to English music.

TRACKLIST

1. A bride song (Cowen) 03143 3047f Gramophone, London 1909-05-10
2. Agnes Nicholls
3. At the mid hour of the night (Cowen) 03140 3045f Gramophone, London 1909-05-10
4. Come my own one (Butterworth) 71302 Columbia, London 1921-05
5. Eli (Costa) Open unto me the gates… I will extol thee 03226 4533f Gramophone, London 1910-10-26
6. Have you seen but a whyte Lillie grow (trad) 71301 Columbia, London 1921-05
7. How lovely are thy dwellings (Ps 84) (Liddle) 03250 5140f Gramophone, London 1911-07-06
8. In a Persian Garden (Lehmann) A book of verses underneath the bough (w. Eisdell) 04169 Ho1803ac Gramophone, London 1916-05-01
9. In a Persian Garden (Lehmann) Alas, that spring should vanish with the rose (w. Baker, Thornton & Eisdell) 04171 Ho1799ac Gramophone, London 1916-05-01
10. In a Persian Garden (Lehmann) I sent my soul through the invisible 03505 Ho1883ac Gramophone, London 1916-06-01
11. In a Persian Garden (Lehmann) They say the lion and the lizard (w. Thornton, Eisdell & Baker) 04172 Ho1800ac Gramophone, London 1916-05-01
12. In a Persian Garden (Lehmann) Wake for the sun (w. Thornton, Eisdell & Baker) 04168 Ho1796ac Gramophone, London 1916-05-01
13. Oberon (Weber) Ocean, thou mighty monster 03212 4535f Gramophone, London 1910-10-26
14. Starlight Express (Elgar) a) Tears and laughter, b) The sunrise song (orch Elgar) 03472 Ho1558ac Gramophone, London 1916-02-18
15. Starlight Express (Elgar) Hearts must be soft … shiny dressed (w. Mott) (orch Elgar) 04151 Ho1554ac Gramophone, London 1916-02-18
16. Starlight Express (Elgar) The laugher’s song (orch Elgar) 03473 Ho1550ac Gramophone, London 1916-02-18
17. The lark now leaves his watery nest (Parker) 3837 10116e Gramophone, London 1909-05-10
18. When the heart is young (Buck) 03246 5137f Gramophone, London 1911-07-06