Composer Vaughan Williams' Widow Dies

Composer Vaughan Williams' Widow Dies
Published: 10/25/07, 11:46 AM EDT

LONDON (AP) - Ursula Vaughan Williams, who wrote librettos for her
composer husband and produced his biography, has died at age 96.

She died Tuesday in London, Gwen Knighton of the English Folk Dance
and Song Society said Thursday. Vaughan Williams, who was president of
the society, had been in ill health for some time.

She published "RVW," a well-regarded biography of Ralph Vaughan
Williams, in 1964. She wrote lyrics for "The Sons of Light," "Four
Last Songs" and parts of "Hodie" and "Pilgrim's Progress" which he set
to music, and produced five volumes of verse and three novels.

Ralph (pronounced rayf) Vaughan Williams also set her poem "Silence
and Music" to music as their contribution to a collection of songs by
10 composers and 10 poets in honor of the coronation of Queen
Elizabeth II.

Born Joan Ursula Penton Lock into a military family in Malta in 1919,
she met the composer in 1938 after offering him a scenario for a
ballet. It was rejected, but they agreed to meet for lunch and began a
close friendship.

Both, at the time, were married. Her husband died in 1942, and the
composer's wife Adeline died in 1951. Undeterred by a 40-year age gap,
Ursula became Mrs. Vaughan Williams in 1953. He died in 1958.

Ursula Vaughan Williams' words were also set to music by David Barlow,
Roger Steptoe, Elizabeth Maconchy, Anthony Scott, Gerald Finzi, Alun
Hoddinott, Herbert Howells, Elisabeth Lutyens and Alan Ridout.

She served as honorary vice president of the Ralph Vaughan Williams
Society.

____________________________________

I found her biography of her husband's life 'wanting'... and it was
curious when a full version of his London Symphony was recorded she
would not allow it performed publicly... then changed her mind after
the recording was hailed and praised.

Vaughan Williams and Ursula were great friends of Finzi, much enjoying
the creative atmosphere of the Finzi home.

.

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