Virginia Gabriel


Mary Anne Virginia Gabriel was an English singer and composer. She was also known as Mrs. George E. March.

Life

Virginia Gabriel was born in Banstead, Surrey, England, the daughter of Major-general "Archangel" Gabriel. She studied piano with Johann Peter Pixis, Theodor Dohler, Sigismond Thalberg and Bernhard Molique and composition with opera composer Saverio Mercadante.
In 1870 Gabriel went for an extended stay at Glamis Castle in the Scottish Lowlands, and was reportedly responsible, among others, for later accounts of the castle's "secret" having to do with a mysterious occupant, the Monster of Glamis.
Gabriel wrote popular ballads which established her reputation as a songwriter and composer. Although women songwriters were well accepted in the 19th century and she had no problems in getting her songs published, she struggled to get publishers for her more serious compositions. For example, she had to pay for self-publication of her cantata Dreamland. Although her songwriting style was Romantic, her songs always reflected ability and inventiveness because of her strength as a serious composer.
Gabriel married her librettist George March in 1874, who was employed by the Foreign Office. The Times reported that she died in 1877 from "injuries sustained by a fall from a carriage". Her Evening Post obituary described her as being "much liked in Society" and as possessing "...a kindness of heart."

Works

Gabriel was known for cantatas and operas and she also wrote songs. Selected works include: