From the Archives: Marian McKenzie

(afterwards Mrs Smith Williams) Plymouth 2 November 1858 – 17 June 1927

Oil painting by Thomas Benjamin Kennington (1856-1916); ca 1890.

ART20

Born in Plymouth to Joseph, a mariner, and Mary Ann McKenzie (née Davies), Marian McKenzie joined the RSM in July 1881.  She seems to have married a Mr R. Smith Williams sometime after then and before March 1886 when she writes with her married surname, although her final extant letter is signed McKenzie in shaky writing in 1926.

Her RSM file reveals little except that she did have perfect health at the point of joining but that from about 1913 she needed specialist medical help with kidney stones, and also following an operation. The application notes her as a solo vocalist at St James’s Hall in the Monday Popular Concerts, and the Boosey Ballad Concerts, as well as “in the provinces”. Her speciality of singing seems to have involved her in the popular Victorian vocal concerts and oratorio.

Her file contains a programme for a performance of Handel’s Judas Maccabaeus at the Queen’s Hall, in the ‘Sunday Evenings for the People’ concerts, on 6 February 1898.

In the Handel Room at RSM’s building

Her new home has her near the bust of Handel.  The painting shows her three-quarter length, standing, facing forwards but turned slightly to her right, wearing a white satin bodice and overskirt with a lacelike skirt decorated with gems, elbow-length white satin gloves, holding an indication of a work by Handel, all with foliate border and voile background.

The portrait was donated by McKenzie’s executor in 1927. The Minutes of 4 September record: "Mr. Moir executor of the late member Mme Marian Mackenzie [sic] offering the Society a portrait in oils of the late member together with £50 to be used for a suitable tablet and keeping the frame in order. The Hon. Treasurer reported that he had seen the portrait and proposed that the offer be gratefully accepted. This was seconded by Miss G.N. Armfield and carried". Miss Grace Noel Armfield (1873-1955) was also a singer and singing teacher.