Evelyn Rothwell

English oboist, author, and Professor of Oboe. Born 24 January 1911 in in Wallingford-on-Thames, Berkshire, England, UK - Died 25 January 2008 in London, England, UK. She studied at the Royal College of Music, London. She started her career by deputising in The Drury Lane Theatre Orchestra. She was soon appointed 2nd Oboe with the Covent Garden Touring Orchestra, which was conducted by Sir John Barbirolli. He appointed Evelyn as First Oboe in the orchestra. After two years, she went on to play with the Scottish National Orchestra (1933-1935) and the Glyndebourne Festival Orchestra (1934-1939). Simultaneously, she joined the London Symphony Orchestra as Principal Oboe (1934-1939). Many compositions were dedicated to her. Author of several books on oboe technique. Professor of Oboe at the Royal Academy of Music (1971-1987). She was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1984. 2nd wife of Sir John Barbirolli from 1939 to his death. Following the death of her husband in 1970, she dropped Rothwell as her professional name and became Evelyn Barbirolli.