Marion Stein | |
|---|---|
 Stein in 1947, by David Gurney | |
| Born | 18 October 1926 Vienna, Austria |
| Died | 6 March 2014(2014-03-06) (aged 87) |
| Other names | Marion Lascelles, Countess of Harewood Marion Harewood Marion Thorpe |
| Education | Royal College of Music |
| Occupation | Concert pianist |
| Spouses | |
| Children | |
| Parents |
|
Maria Donata Nanetta Paulina Gustava Erwina Wilhelmine Stein (18 October 1926 – 6 March 2014), known asMarion Stein, was an Austrian-born Britishconcert pianist. During her marriage toGeorge Lascelles, Earl of Harewood, she was known asMarion Lascelles, Countess of Harewood and was a member of the extendedBritish royal family. After her divorce and subsequent remarriage to British politicianJeremy Thorpe, leader of theLiberal Party from 1967 to 1976, she became known asMarion Thorpe.[1]
Stein was born inVienna to aJewish family, the daughter of Sophie Bachmann and musicianErwin Stein. She came to the United Kingdom just before the Second World War.[2][3] She attended theRoyal College of Music and became good friends with composerBenjamin Britten.
By 1949, as Countess of Harewood, and with the patronage of her mother-in-law,Princess Mary, Stein waschatelaine of the PalladianHarewood House, north of Leeds, and threw herself into organising events.
In March 1950, she created an opera-inspired fancy dress ball in aid of Britten'sEnglish Opera Group, featuringFrederick Ashton andMoira Shearer dancing the tango from theballetFaçade.[4][5] In September 1950, she was reported as being pregnant and, unusually for society women of the time, "planning to attend every night" of theLeeds Triennial Musical Festival which featured a performance by Britten.[6][7] She was the joint founder in 1961 (along withFanny Waterman) of theLeeds International Piano Competition.[8] She also collaborated with Fanny Waterman onPiano Lessons, a successful piano tutor.
In 1973, she was a guest onBBC Radio 4'sDesert Island Discs[9] and she was an occasional panellist on the BBC music quizFace the Music.
Stein married twice, on both occasions to prominent public figures.
Her first husband wasGeorge Lascelles, 7th Earl of Harewood,[2] whom she married on 29 September 1949. The couple met at theAldeburgh Festival. Lord Harewood, son ofMary, Princess Royal, was the grandson of KingGeorge V, the nephew of kingsEdward VIII andGeorge VI, and a cousin of QueenElizabeth II. Marion became the Countess of Harewood. They had three sons:
By 1959, there were serious problems in the marriage. Harewood began an affair with the violinistPatricia Tuckwell, but Stein rejected the idea of divorce until 1967, by which time Harewood had a son by Tuckwell.[1] His adultery and remarriage made him a social outcast for several years, and it was 10 years before he was invited to any events by the royal family.[10]
Stein married her second husband,Jeremy Thorpe, on 14 March 1973. Thorpe was then aMember of Parliament and Leader of theLiberal Party. His first wife, Caroline, had been killed in a car accident in 1970. Marion Thorpe stood by her husband throughout thescandal of the late 1970s.[1] In the mid-1980s, Jeremy Thorpe was diagnosed as suffering fromParkinson's disease.[11] Towards the end of her life, Marion Thorpe also had mobility problems.
She was appointed aCommander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the2008 Birthday Honours byElizabeth II for services to music, in particular theLeeds International Piano Competition.[12]
Marion Thorpe died on 6 March 2014 at the age of 87.[1] Her husband survived her by nine months, dying on 4 December.[13]
She was played byMonica Dolan in the 2018 television miniseriesA Very English Scandal.
Her name is one of those featured on the sculptureRibbons, unveiled in 2024.[14][15]
...the Countess plans to attend every night of the Leeds Triennial Musical Festival...
Britten had been taking the final rehearsals of his Spring Symphony which he was due to conduct at the 1950 Triennial Festival...
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Artists | |
| People | |
| Other | |
