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Oliveria Prescott

1842 – 1917

English composer and writer

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About Oliveria Prescott

Lived 1842 – 1917 (aged 74). Oliveria Prescott was a British composer, music educator and writer.

Oliveria Louisa Prescott (3 September 1842 – 9 September 1919) was an English writer and composer.

Biography Oliveria Prescott was born in London, the daughter of Frederick Joseph Prescott and Elizabeth Oliveria Russell. She studied with Lindsay Sloper and then at the Royal Academy of Music under George Alexander Macfarren. She became Macfarren's amenuensis.

She lectured in harmony and composition for Newnham College, Cambridge, and also taught harmony at the High School for Girls in Baker Street, London.

In 1876 Prescott's first symphony in B-flat “Alkestis” won third prize in a competition for new British symphonies that was held at the Alexandra Palace in north London. In that competition Charles Villiers Stanford's first symphony in B-flat took second place, while Francis William Davenport's symphony in D-minor was placed first. A total of 38 symphonies had been submitted to the competition.

Selected works include:

Stage Carrigraphuga, The Castle of the Fairies, musical comedy in three acts (1914), words by S. Phillips

Keyboard Concert Finale, pianoforte duet (1878)

Choral "A Border Ballad", four-part song (1844), words by Francis William Bourdillon Lord Ullin's Daughter, choral ballad (1869), after Lord Ullin's Daughter by Thomas Campbell "Song of Waterspirits" four-part song (1874), words by E. Evans The Righteous Life for Evermore, anthem for four voices (1876) "The Ballad of Young John and his True Sweetheart", part song (1878) "The Douglas Raid", four-part song (1883), words by J. Stewart "The Huntsman", four-part song (1883), words by J. Stewart "Equestrian Courtship", part song (1885), words by T. Hood "Say Not, the Struggle Nought Availeth", part song (1885), words by A. H. Clough

Song "There Is for Every Day a Bliss" (1873), words by J. W. H. "Ask Me No More", with violoncello obbligato (1874), after The Princess by Alfred, Lord Tennyson "Cheerio!", marching song for whistlers and singing (1915), words by S. Phillips

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Important facts

Birth century
Education
Royal Academy of Music
Employers
Newnham College
Also known as
Oliveria Louisa Prescott

People in Oliveria Prescott's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Oliveria Prescott's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Oliveria Prescott?

English composer and writer (1842–1917)

When was Oliveria Prescott born?

Oliveria Prescott was born on 3 September 1842 in London.

When did Oliveria Prescott die?

Oliveria Prescott died on 11 January 1917 in London.

What was Oliveria Prescott's occupation?

Oliveria Prescott was a composer, music educator and writer.

What nationality was Oliveria Prescott?

Oliveria Prescott was British.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Oliveria Prescott

· Wikidata: Q7087973

· DBpedia: Oliveria Prescott

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Oliveria Prescott. https://biography.guide/oliveria-prescott/

MLA: "Oliveria Prescott." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/oliveria-prescott/.

Chicago: "Oliveria Prescott." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/oliveria-prescott/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

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