Winifred Purnell Explained

Winifred Purnell (born 1893) was an Australian-born pianist in England.

History

Winifred was the only daughter of Edward Purnell (c. 1853 – 22 February 1899)^[1] and Edith Morland Purnell, née Webb (3 November 1868 – 19 November 1950)^[2] who married in 1888.^[3] She had three brothers: Edward, Reginald (1890) and Cecil (1894). They had a home at Hill Street, Leichhardt, a suburb of Sydney.

She took lessons with Arthur Mason, Sydney's City Organist, and during this period acted as accompanist to the Sydney Choristers at the Sydney Town Hall.^[4] and gave concerts at the YMCA Hall^[5]

In 1908 she became a protégée of Mrs Arthur Popplewell (the soprano Rosa Bird), who took her to Hanover, Germany,^[6] and to London. She later had financial support from Sir Robert and Lady Lucas Tooth.

In 1912 Purnell and young Australian violinist Godfrey Ludlow gave a command performance at Buckingham Palace for Queen Mary.^[7] In 1913 her mother joined her in London.^[8]

During the Great War she crossed the Channel nine times, giving concerts for the troops in England, France and Belgium.^[9]

In May 1939 she returned to Australia, to visit her mother^[10] and to give a ten-week concert tour of Australia for the ABC.^[11]

Notes and References

1. News: Family Notices . . 3441 . New South Wales, Australia . 23 February 1899 . 23 July 2023 . 1 . National Library of Australia.
2. News: Family Notices . . 35,231 . New South Wales, Australia . 20 November 1950 . 23 July 2023 . 16 . National Library of Australia.
3. News: Family Notices . . 15,655 . New South Wales, Australia . 28 May 1888 . 23 July 2023 . 1 . National Library of Australia.
4. News: The Sydney Choristers . . 21,028 . New South Wales, Australia . 29 July 1905 . 23 July 2023 . 12 . National Library of Australia.
5. News: Miss Winifred Purnell's Recital . . 8709 . New South Wales, Australia . 1 May 1907 . 23 July 2023 . 12 . National Library of Australia.
6. News: Australians Abroad . . 22,031 . New South Wales, Australia . 26 August 1908 . 23 July 2023 . 5 . National Library of Australia.
7. News: Young Australian Musicians . . 23,191 . New South Wales, Australia . 10 May 1912 . 23 July 2023 . 9 . National Library of Australia.
8. News: World and His Wife . . 1428 . New South Wales, Australia . 1 June 1913 . 23 July 2023 . 25 . National Library of Australia.
9. News: Pianist to Give Recital . . 2019 . Queensland, Australia . 21 February 1940 . 23 July 2023 . 18 . National Library of Australia.
10. News: Personal Items . . XXXII . 4,942 . South Australia . 27 May 1939 . 23 July 2023 . 5 . National Library of Australia.
11. News: For Broadcasting Tour . . 31,601 . New South Wales, Australia . 13 April 1939 . 23 July 2023 . 24 . National Library of Australia.