Danville, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Frederick Delius

(1962–1934)

Photographed By J. J. Prats, June 8, 2017

1. Frederick Delius Marker

Inscription. One block west on Church Street is the site of the Henry P. Richardson house where Frederick Delius lived while teaching music at Roanoke Female College, now Averett. An unsuccessful orange grower in Florida, the Britisher Delius worked in Danville in 1885–1886 to earn return passage to Europe where he pursued a musical careeer, becoming an internationally acclaimed composer.

Erected 1985 by Virginia Landmarks Commission. (Marker Number Q-5g.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Education. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1885.

Location. 36° 35.722′ N, 79° 23.128′ W. Marker is in Danville, Virginia. Marker is at the intersection of North Main Street (Virginia Route 293) and Keen Street, on the left when traveling north on North Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 626 N Main St, Danville VA 24540, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. North Danville (within shouting distance of this marker); Mills Along The Dan (approx. 0.4 miles away); Wreck of the Old 97 (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Worsham Street Bridge

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(approx. 0.6 miles away); The Wreck of Old 97 (approx. 0.6 miles away); This Trough (approx. 0.6 miles away); Danville Tobacco Warehouse and Residential District (approx. 0.6 miles away); Centennial Celebration of the Danville Tobacco Association (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Danville.

Also see . . .
1. Wikipedia Entry for Frederick Delius. “While in Florida, Delius had his first composition published, a polka for piano called Zum Carnival. In late 1885 he left a caretaker in charge of Solano Grove and moved to Danville, Virginia. Thereafter he pursued a wholly musical career. An advertisement in the local paper announced, ‘Fritz Delius will begin at once giving instruction in Piano, Violin, Theory and Composition. He will give lessons at the residences of his pupils. Terms reasonable.’ Delius also offered lessons in French and German. Danville had a thriving musical life, and early works of his were publicly performed there.” (Submitted on June 17, 2017.)

2. Frederick Delius: Florida Suite (1888) - Welsh Opera Orchestra conducted by Sir Charles Groves(1963).
Audio begins with nine seconds of silence.
“Frederick Delius wrote his Florida Suite in 1888 and it was largely forgotten until the 1960's when Sir Thomas Beecham, friend of the composer, made a reedition. Here, Delius showcases his musical memories and inspirations from his two years in the United States of America.” (Submitted on June 18, 2017.)

Photographed By J. J. Prats, June 8, 2017

3. Frederick Delius Marker

“Fritz” Delius image. Click for full size.

Unknown photographer via Wikipedia Commons

4. “Fritz” Delius

Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 17, 2017, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 468 times since then and 33 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 17, 2017, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.

Editor’s want-list for this marker. Photograph of the Henry P. Richardson house on Church Street • Can you help?