Guy d'Hardelot

Mme. d'Hardelot (Mrs. Rhodes) was born at Chateau d'hardelot, near Bologne. This interesting old castle, from which she takes her pen name, was once occupied by Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn. Her father was English and her mother French. At the age of fifteen she went to Paris, where she studied at the Conservatoire under Maury, and came under the notice of Gounod and Victor Maurel, who were much impressed with her ability. On coming to London she became a pupil of Clarence Lucas. Mme. Calve has been a good friend to Mme. d'Hardelot, and has done much to bring her songs into notice. Most of her life, Mme. d'Hardelot has been engaged in teaching singing and diction at her home in London, and many of her pupils have attained success. She has been to America, however, and in 1896 toured this country with Mme. Calve. Her first real success as a composer was won with Because, though her song Sans Toi had previously been favorably received. Among her other successes may be mentioned I Know a Lovely Garden, I Think, I Hid My Love, Dawn, A Bunch of Violets, etc. She has been singularly successful as a writer of songs, in which she combines French delicacy with English solidity. Few women writers have become more popular than has Mme. d'Hardelot, and her success has been won on merit alone. In spite of the help of many friends, it was some time before the public realized that her work possesses high merit.