Marianne Davies

Who is Marianne Davies?

Marianne Davies was an English musician, and the sister of the classical soprano Cecilia Davies. She was a singer who also played flute and harpsichord.

In 1762 she became the first person to publicly perform on the glass harmonica, an instrument consisting of variously sized and tuned glass bowls that rotate on a common shaft, played by touching the spinning glass with wet fingers. She toured in concerts with her sister, performing in Dublin, London, and on the Continent where the two girls became acquainted with the Mozart family. Beethoven also composed music for the instrument.

She corresponded regularly with inventor Benjamin Franklin. Various correspondence in the historical archives outlines her failing health, and her desire to have the opportunity to play the instrument again before her death. Her correspondence is published on William Zeitler's website; William Zeitler being one of the world's leading present-day armonicists.