Myra Maud Concerts

Experience Myra Maud

Myra Maud (born Myra Maud Smith, 1894-1973) was a British contralto singer prominent during the interwar and post-war periods, particularly renowned for her interpretations of English song and oratorio. Initially studying with Percy Groom and later Dame Clara Butt, Maud debuted at the Royal Albert Hall in 1922. She quickly established herself as a leading concert and recording artist, frequently performing with the BBC Symphony Orchestra under conductors like Sir Henry Wood and Adrian Boult.

Maud’s repertoire spanned from Handel and Bach to contemporary British composers like Ralph Vaughan Williams – she premiered his *Five Mystical Songs* in 1911 (though recordings are later). Her voice possessed a rich, dark timbre ideally suited to works such as Elgar’s *Sea Pictures* and Brahms' *Alto Rhapsody*. She made numerous recordings for HMV/EMI between the 1920s and 1950s, many of which remain highly regarded for their expressive quality.

While not an opera singer, Maud’s influence on British vocal tradition is significant.