Edward Elgar - a factfile

10:44am Friday 13th July 2007

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Edward Elgar was born on June 2, 1857, at a small cottage in Broadheath, Worcestershire.

His father was a piano tuner and had a music shop in Worcester where Edward taught himself to play a range of instruments.

Throughout his early life, he struggled against prejudice towards his Roman Catholicism and his tradesman's background.

In the 1880s and 90s, he conducted, composed, taught violin and played the organ at St George's RC Church, Worcester.

He married one of his pupils, Caroline Alice Roberts,in 1889, despite her mother's opposition.

Variations on an Original Theme (Enigma) published to widespread acclaim (1899). First performance of The Dream of Gerontius (1900) fails due to lack of rehearsal but it is rescued' in 1901.

1904-1912, the couple lived at Plas Gwyn, in Hereford - this was one of Elgar's most creative periods including Introduction and Allegro for Strings, both symphonies and his violin concerto.

1918-1919 Elgar composes the Violin Sonata, String Quartet and the Cello Concerto.

Lady Alice dies in 1920.

February 23, 1934, Sir Edward dies.