Ivor Novello (born David Ivor Davies) was a Welsh composer, singer and actor who became one of the most popular British entertainers of the early 20th century. He first became well known through the song Keep the Home Fires Burning which he composed during World War I. After the war, he began a film career, and also appeared on stage in the West End, in musical shows of his own devising, most notably The Dancing Years. Novello starred in two early Hitchcock films before heading to Hollywood and appeared in some successful films. He died in 1951, at a fairly young age of 58.
Novello wrote his musical shows in the style of operetta, and was one of the last major composers in this form. He generally composed his music to the librettos of Christopher Hassall. The Ivor Novello Awards for songwriting, are awarded each year by the record industry to songwriters and arrangers as well as the performing artistes.
**ABRSM selected pieces (Singing from 2009):
We’ll gather lilacs: from Perchance to Dream (Novello)
Waltz of my heart: from The Dancing Years (Novello & Hassall)
**Trinity College London selected piece (Singing 2010-2012): We’ll gather lilacs: from Perchance to Dream (Novello)
