Composers That Were (or Are) Good Spouses/Parents?

[Ten thumbs]

Fanny Hensel was much loved as a wife, sister and mother. Her sudden death was a great blow to the whole family.

[Daverz]

How about Barber and Menotti.  They were together for 30 years.

Then there's Britten and Pears, a 34-year long partnership.

[schweitzeralan]

How about Barber and Menotti.  They were together for 30 years.

Then there's Britten and Pears, a 34-year long partnership.

I read an article some time about about Samuel Barber's acute depression after his "split" from Menotti.  I wish there were more bios on American composers.  Barber was very successful and recognized as a significant composer during his lifetime.  Was it indeed true that he had a severe breakdown during his later years?  I don't know for certain about this.  the one article I read years ago was very brief.  Barber was at one time one of my very favorite composers.  His two symphonies are wonderful in their depth, harmonies, and dynamic rhythms.

[Josquin des Prez]

I thought everyone was aware about Haydn's miserable marriage.

Which was not his fault really. His wife was a freaking harpy, she even went so far as to use his musical sheets as table covers for god sake, come on!

[jochanaan]

Sorry, my entry was an attempt on "funny", you know this so called "humour" thing that I've heard people talk of.
I thought everyone was aware about Haydn's miserable marriage.

I wasn't, but somehow I'm not surprised.

I never said FJ Haydn had a husband.

If I may:

Mrs Haydn? I hear she was an endearing lady, kept his husband busy.

Quod erat demonstrat. (emphasis added)

[jlaurson]

Wagner, in spite of being a bad character in many ways in his relations with adults, seems to have been a loving and devoted father to his children.

A little too devoted, perhaps, turning young Siegfried into quite the character--not an entirely happy one.

I think Carter might qualify. Certainly a loving relationship into old age.

[matti]

I wasn't, but somehow I'm not surprised. :-\If I may:Quod erat demonstrat. (emphasis added)

My bad. I in fact proofread the sentence, to make sure, after someone commented on it. 
But do we have any proof Frau Haydn was not a she-male? 

[jlaurson]

My bad. I in fact proofread the sentence, to make sure, after someone commented on it. 
But do we have any proof Frau Haydn was not a she-male? 

I've always been suspicious, since she ran the 800m in just over 3 minutes. (Crazy fast, at the time!)

[jochanaan]

I read an article some time about about Samuel Barber's acute depression after his "split" from Menotti.  I wish there were more bios on American composers.  Barber was very successful and recognized as a significant composer during his lifetime.  Was it indeed true that he had a severe breakdown during his later years?  I don't know for certain about this.  the one article I read years ago was very brief.  Barber was at one time one of my very favorite composers.  His two symphonies are wonderful in their depth, harmonies, and dynamic rhythms.

The article on Barber in David Ewen's American Composers (New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1982) mentions a five-year hiatus in composing from 1972 through 1977, but it doesn't mention a breakdown.  But then, it might not mention that...

[schweitzeralan]

The article on Barber in David Ewen's American Composers (New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1982) mentions a five-year hiatus in composing from 1972 through 1977, but it doesn't mention a breakdown.  But then, it might not mention that...

Thanks.  I'll check out the article.  Right now I can't recall where I read the source which dealt with Barber's later years.

[Joe Barron]

Schweitzeralan, are you aware there is a full-length biography of Barber?

[Maciek]

Lutosławski's marriage was, according to all accounts, perfect (though, especially at first, it was frowned upon). His stepson spoke most affectionately of him in an interview.

[schweitzeralan]

Schweitzeralan, are you aware there is a full-length biography of Barber?

No.  First I'll check it out on a local lenging library. If there is indeed a bio on B.;and, if I like it I'll go on Amazon.  Perhaps I should have investigated online before posting.  Thanks for the info.

[Lethevich]

Verdi's marriage to Giuseppina Strepponi seems as near to blissful as it gets, from what I have read.

[Chaszz]

I've always been suspicious, since she ran the 800m in just over 3 minutes. (Crazy fast, at the time!)

But there were whispers in the Esterhazy archives that she used "shpritzoids," an early form of steroids. 

[knight66]

In a headline an early BBC Music Mag claimed that....

'Fanny was absolutely central to the life of Mendelssohn'

One way or another he seemed to have been attentive.

Mike

[Maciek]

And to think some say British music magazines are prudish...

[knight66]

On our old site I mentioned that headline and got replies to the effect that people were disappointed in me! I guess that either people now have lower expectations of me or the site has gone south somewhat....or both!

Mike