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The Worlds of Gilbert and Sullivan

Ivor Novello was born David Ivor Davies on 15 January 1893. He was born at Llwyn-yr-Eos (which means Grove of the Nightingale) in Cowbridge Road East, Cardiff, Wales. (Click thumbnail >>> to see larger picture of his birthplace {if we look carefully we can see a plaque commemorating his birth} - then click <- top left of screen to return to this page).

His mother was Clara Novello Davies - well known as a singer and teacher, who founded the Welsh Ladies Choir. His father, David Davies was a tax collector. He also had an adopted sister - Marie Novello.

When he was a boy David  (Ivor Novello that is) was a successful singer in the Welsh Eisteddfod . His education was at Magdalen College School in Oxford, where he was also a singer in the choir.

He styled himself Ivor Novello in 1918, legally changing his name in 1927.

In 1916 Ivor was commissioned as a Sub-Lieutenant and trained as a pilot in the Royal Naval Air Service. Unfortunately he had a couple of serious crashes during training which ruined his flying career and he was posted to clerical duties for the duration of the war.

Here he is - Actor, singer and composer (Click thumbnail < < < to see larger picture of him - then click <- top left of screen to return to this page)

During the war he composed his first 'big hit' Keep the Home Fires Burning. In 1917 his show Theodore & Co, composed whilst he was in the navy, was also a wartime hit. Novello was one of the last major composers of musicals in the style of operetta - shades of Gilbert and Sullivan? who obviously influenced composers in his era!

Novello lived for many years in Lttlewick Green in East Berkshire. He was a homosexual, well known for some of his more glamorous gay affairs. For 35 years his lover was British actor Bobbie Andrews. Also he had an affair with British poet and writer Siegfried Sassoon.

In May 1944, during World War II, he was given a short prison sentence for the misuse of petrol coupons {mainly the fault of an admiring female fan}. Although it was a serious offence in wartime petrol-strapped Britain, he only served 4 weeks. Following his release he continued his successful stage and composing career until his death.

After World War I he became a film star, performing in silent films. He was also a star of the classical stage and performed in Shakespeare. He also wrote, composed and acted in several successful musical comedies eg:-

Some of Ivor's more notable songs include:-

Ivor Novello died from a coronary thrombosis at the age of 58 on 6 March 1951. He was cremated at the Golders Green Crematorium. His ashes are buried beneath a lilac bush and marked with a plaque on which is inscribed the words:-

"Ivor Novello 6th March 1951 'Till you are home once more'"

His memory is promoted by The Ivor Novello Appreciation Bureau. The hold annual events in Britain, also a pilgrimage to Redroofs in Littlewick Green in June. The Strand Theatre in London was named after him in 2005. He lived above it for many years.

Click here to hear (and sing, if you wish) We'll Gather Lilacs . . .

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