Clara Novello Davies

Clara Novello Davies (7 April 1861 – 7 February 1943) was a well-known Welsh singer, teacher and conductor.

Clara Novello Davies was born in Cardiff to Jacob, a miner, and Margaret (née Evans) Davies and named after Clara Novello, a famous soprano (1818–1908). Her father, leader of the church choir, taught her to play the harmonium. She married David Davies, a solicitor's clerk with the same surname as her own, on 31 October 1883.

Their son, David Ivor Davies, became better known as Ivor Novello, the actor, composer, dramatist and director. Their adopted daughter, who was born Maria Williams but took the name Marie Novello, was a concert pianist who died from throat cancer on 21 June 1928, aged 44.

In 1883, Clara Novello Davies founded and conducted the Royal Welsh Ladies' Choir, which won prizes at the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago (1893) and the Paris Exposition (1899). She was still conducting into her seventies when her New York-based Novello Davies Artist Choir was invited to the 1937 Paris Exposition. The choir raised funds for charity during both World Wars.

Clara Novello Davies died in London in 1943, aged 81, and was cremated at Golders Green Crematorium.

• Grove Music Online (subscription) (accessed 17 March 2007)