Iris Margaret Elsie Lemare was the first of Edwin Lemare’s three children. She was born in London, United Kingdom, on September 27, 1902. Her mother was Elsie Reith, Lemare’s second wife. The marriage ended in divorce in 1909.
At nine years old, Iris visited her father in Ventnor and asked him to play her favorite piece. When he started to play the Andantino in Db, she said, “Oh no, not THAT,” and began singing Bach’s Great G Minor Fugue. (Barden, Part 3, 1986, p.77.) Iris studied at the Royal College of Music from 1925 to 1929 and won the Dove Prize for her skills as an organist.
Iris Lemare was the first woman to conduct the BBC Symphony Orchestra in 1937. She also conducted the Oxford Chamber Orchestra and the Carlyle Singers.
In 1945, Iris founded the Lemare Orchestra. She also created the Macnaghten-Lemare series of concerts which brought new works by British composers to the attention of the public (e.g., Benjamin Britten.)
From 1970 to 1984, Iris conducted Opera Nova and enjoyed introducing young people to the world of opera. In her later years she lectured and worked as a judge and examiner.
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Iris Lemare and Betty Lemare knew of one another as stepsisters, but didn’t meet until their later years.
Iris and Betty were united for the first time by Nelson Barden, who had been researching Lemare’s history. Betty & Iris quickly became confidants, exchanging letters, stories and visits between the United States and England.
In 1984, Iris Lemare came to the United States for a memorable visit with stepsister Betty, step-granddaughter, Jeannine, and Nelson Barden. They attended a concert by Thomas Murray in San Francisco, spent a few days at the Russian River and were given a tour of the Bohemian Grove.
Betty remembers Iris as a warm and enthusiastic person who graciously opened her heart to the family. Iris was also known to be a bird watcher, walker, swimmer, skier and campanologist.
Iris Lemare died on April 23, 1997 in Askham Bryan.
