Title: Louth’s Overlooked Victorian Star Re-emerges
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Victorian-age composer Charlotte Alington Pye hails originally from Louth. She is perhaps more familiar under her pen name, Claribel. After years of obscurity, Claribel now receives the acknowledgement she is due, thanks to a fresh exhibit at Louth Museum. Claribel, born in the year 1830, grew academically and professionally into a lauded songwriter, with her compositions performed by eminent vocalists of her era, even gaining the admiration of Queen Victoria. Her music found audiences internationally, earning her substantial wealth. Regrettably, her popularity waned as a result of personal misfortunes. This included an embezzlement scandal involving her father that thrust her family into a brief period of exile in Belgium. Tragic circumstances saw Claribel fall victim to typhoid at merely 38 years old, following her return to England.
Currently, Louth Museum takes great pride in displaying a rejuvenated youthful portrait of Claribel, in addition to her final commonplace book, which combines beautifully her sketches with personal insights. Local vocalist Kate Witney is at the forefront of preserving Claribel’s legacy, aiding in the digitalisation and exhibition of the commonplace book for museum patrons. In a partnership with pianist Jane O’Farrell, Witney has recorded an album featuring Claribel’s compositions, handing a second lease of life to the works of this unforgettable Victorian figure. Running from April through till October, the museum gives visitors the chance to peer into the many chapters of Claribel’s life and enjoy her charming watercolour paintings.
This story is inspired by original reports made by the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC).
