Composer. He is credited with being the first Welshman to compose an opera with his composition, "Blodwen," which was the first opera written in the Welsh language. The opera had some 500 performances by 1896. He was a prolific 19th-century Welsh composer of hymns, piano pieces, oratorios and operas, who was also well-known as a singer, pianist, organist and conductor. Among his other larger works were the oratorios, "Emmanuel" in 1880, "Saul" in 1892, and the cantata "Nebuchadnezzar" in 1884. Born in the coal mining country of Wales, he started working the coal pits at age nine. While working at an ironworks, he learned to read and write music from other employees. At the age of 13, his family immigrated to the United States. He was offered two music scholarships, but was unable to accept due to family obligations. Eventually, a fund was made for the support of his family while he studied music as people recognized his talents. He was the recipient of awards from many competitions in the United States and Wales including the Gorsedd y Beirdd at a ceremony during the 1865 National Eisteddfod of Wales. In Wales, he was called the "American Musician" as he lived in Danville, Pennsylvania from 1854 to 1868 and for a second time in the 1870s. He was the first Welshman to receive Bachelor's and Doctor's degrees in music from the University of Cambridge. From 1873 to 1877, he was a Professor of Music at the University of Wales. He became a music critic in his later years. He had a Pennsylvania bride and the couple had five children. All of his children except the youngest son were born in the United States. From 1888 until his death, he was a lecturer in music at University College at Cardiff. He died from the complication of a post-operative infection following two surgeries. A national fund was made to provide for his widow.
Composer. He is credited with being the first Welshman to compose an opera with his composition, "Blodwen," which was the first opera written in the Welsh language. The opera had some 500 performances by 1896. He was a prolific 19th-century Welsh composer of hymns, piano pieces, oratorios and operas, who was also well-known as a singer, pianist, organist and conductor. Among his other larger works were the oratorios, "Emmanuel" in 1880, "Saul" in 1892, and the cantata "Nebuchadnezzar" in 1884. Born in the coal mining country of Wales, he started working the coal pits at age nine. While working at an ironworks, he learned to read and write music from other employees. At the age of 13, his family immigrated to the United States. He was offered two music scholarships, but was unable to accept due to family obligations. Eventually, a fund was made for the support of his family while he studied music as people recognized his talents. He was the recipient of awards from many competitions in the United States and Wales including the Gorsedd y Beirdd at a ceremony during the 1865 National Eisteddfod of Wales. In Wales, he was called the "American Musician" as he lived in Danville, Pennsylvania from 1854 to 1868 and for a second time in the 1870s. He was the first Welshman to receive Bachelor's and Doctor's degrees in music from the University of Cambridge. From 1873 to 1877, he was a Professor of Music at the University of Wales. He became a music critic in his later years. He had a Pennsylvania bride and the couple had five children. All of his children except the youngest son were born in the United States. From 1888 until his death, he was a lecturer in music at University College at Cardiff. He died from the complication of a post-operative infection following two surgeries. A national fund was made to provide for his widow.
Bio by: Linda Davis
Inscription
IN LOVING REMEMBERANCE MY DEAR HUSBAND
DR. JOSEPH PARRY
"He is waiting and watching for me."
Family Members
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See more Parry memorials in:
Records on Ancestry
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