Olive Mead

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Olive Mead (1874–1946) was an American classical violinist.[1] She was a successful soloist and chamber player, performing with Amy Beach, among many others.[2] She formed her own well-regarded string-quartet,[3] the Olive Mead Quartet (1903–1917), which featured only women. Its members were Vera Fonaroff, , and .[2] She was a student of Julius Eichberg and Franz Kneisel.

Personal history[]

She was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts and began studying the violin at the age of 7.[4] She began studies with Eichberg and Kneisel in 1888 and made her debut at Steinert Hall in Boston at the age of 20.[5] She married New York realty professional Merrill Holden Green, who died in 1918.[5] She died at her home in Cambridge in 1946 at the age of 71, survived by two of her three sons.[5]

Professional history[]

At the age of 25, she made a European tour with Franz Kneisel and his wife, during which she had the opportunity to meet Johannes Brahms.[5] In 1898 she became a soloist for the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and in later years for the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.[5] She also played at diplomatic receptions in London as well as gatherings hosted by Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema.[5] Her performance at the Salle Erard in London in June 1900 was noted as being "immensely intelligent".[6] In 1910, the Olive Mead Quartet played a benefit for the Graduate Nurses Association at the Columbia Theater in Washington, D.C.[7]

References[]

  1. ^ Pendle, Karin (2001). Women & Music: A History. Indiana University Press. p. 207. ISBN 0-253-33819-0.
  2. ^ a b Ammer, Christine (July 26, 2016). Unsung: A History of Women in American Music. BookBaby. ISBN 978-1-4835-7700-5.
  3. ^ "THE OLIVE MEAD QUARTET.; Opening of the Young Ladles' Series, of Chamber Concerts". The New York Times. November 24, 1910. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved December 30, 2017.
  4. ^ "MRS. OLIVE MEAD GREEN: Founder of Violin Quartet of Women in 1904 Dies at 71". The New York Times. No. 21. March 1, 1946.
  5. ^ a b c d e f "MRS. OLIVE MEAD GREEN: Founder of Violin Quartet of Women in 1904 Dies at 71". The New York Times. No. 21. March 1, 1946.
  6. ^ "Music in London". Musical Standard. No. 338. June 23, 1900.
  7. ^ "GRADUATE NURSES BENEFIT.: Olive Mead Quartet Heard in Recital at Columbia Theater". The Washington Post. December 3, 1910.


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