Kathleen Ferrier at a Concert

Sitterback to top

• Kathleen Ferrier (1912-1953), Singer. Sitter in 15 portraits.

Artistback to top

• Bernard Dunstan (1920-), Painter. Artist of 11 portraits, Sitter in 1 portrait.

This portraitback to top

Ferrier, who began her working life at fourteen as a Post Office telephonist, became one of the most popular contralto singers of the mid-twentieth century. An accomplished amateur pianist, she worked as a piano teacher after her marriage in 1935. Soon after she won a prize for her singing, and, beginning in 1937, progressed from local to national and eventually international fame as a singer. Benjamin Britten composed The Rape of Lucretia for her which she sang at Glyneborne in 1946. Known for her remarkable technical control and the richness of her voice, Ferrier died of cancer aged only forty-one. This oil sketch by Bernard Dunstan shows her in concert.

Related worksback to top

• NPG 5040(3): Kathleen Ferrier (study)
• NPG 5040(1): Kathleen Ferrier; Bruno Walter (study)
• NPG 5040(2): Kathleen Ferrier (study)
• NPG 5040(4): Kathleen Ferrier (study)
• NPG 5040(5): Kathleen Ferrier; Unknown sitter (study)
• NPG 5040(6): Kathleen Ferrier (study)
• NPG 5040(7): Kathleen Ferrier (study)
• NPG 5040(8): Kathleen Ferrier (study)

Linked publicationsback to top

• Saywell, David; Simon, Jacob, Complete Illustrated Catalogue, 2004, p. 722

Subjects & Themesback to top

• Events and occasions
• Group portraits
• Making music