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

Frederick Delius

Last Performance in Danville

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, June 15, 2013

1. Frederick Delius Marker

Inscription. In this building, on January 30, 1897, the composer Frederick Delius (1862-1934) and his traveling companions - Halfdan Jebe and the "stowaway" Princess de Cysteria - gave a public concert at the Danville College for Young Ladies, later Stratford College.

Delius' colleagues, billed as Professor Lemmanoff, violinist, and Madame Donodossola, soprano, and the noted composer himself, played to a delighted audience, some of whom took notice also of the "big feet of the Princess."

Many Danvillians remeber Delius from years earlier when he taught music and languages in 1885-86 at the Roanoke Female College, now Averett University.

The 1897 event was the composer's last visit to Danville, and this building is the only place known to survive locally where Delius performed in concert.

Erected 2012 by Delius Sesquicentennial.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Education. A significant historical month for this entry is January 1854.

Location. 36° 34.749′ N, 79° 24.206′ W. Marker is in Danville, Virginia. It is at the intersection of South Main Street and Main Street (Virginia Route 293), on the right when traveling north on South Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Danville VA 24541, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southside Virginia

and specifically in Central Virginia.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers.

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Stratford College (a few steps from this marker); The Gibson Girl / Lady Astor (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Lady Astor Birthplace (about 300 feet away); The Langhorne House (about 400 feet away); The M.P. Jordan House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Holbrook-Ross Historic District (approx. 0.2 miles away); Last Confederate Capitol (approx. 0.2 miles away); First Catholic Church In Danville, Virginia (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Danville.

Stratford College image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, June 15, 2013

2. Stratford College

Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, November 2, 2024

3. Frederick Delius Marker

Frederick Delius Marker and nearby Stratford College Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, November 2, 2024

4. Frederick Delius Marker and nearby Stratford College Marker

Robert Phifer image. Click for full size.

Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, April 1, 2025

5. Robert Phifer

Robert Phifer, a music professor at the then Roanoke Women's College was instrumental in recruiting Frederick Delius to Danville. This portrait of Phifer is on display in the Mary B. Blount Library at Averett University.

Credits. This page was last revised on September 10, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 16, 2013, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 943 times since then and 7 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 16, 2013, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. 3, 4. submitted on December 4, 2024, by C. Ryan Dodson of Danville, Virginia. 5. submitted on September 4, 2025, by C. Ryan Dodson of Danville, Virginia.