Theodora di Marco (14 October 1925 - 17 August 2021), also known as
Theo
Theo is a given name and a hypocorism.
Greek origin
Many names beginning with the root ''Theo-'' derive from the Ancient Greek word (), which means God, for example:
*Feminine names: Thea, Theodora, Theodosia, Theophania, Theophano and The ...
, was a Scottish-Italian
salonista and viola player, a founder of the
Edinburgh Chamber Orchestra, one of the oldest amateur orchestras in Scotland.
Life
Born to an Italian restaurant and
confectionery
Confectionery is the Art (skill), art of making confections, or sweet foods. Confections are items that are rich in sugar and carbohydrates, although exact definitions are difficult. In general, however, confections are divided into two bro ...
shop owner in Edinburgh on 14 October 1925, with her twin sister Norma, who was a cellist and an editor and public relations executive on Arab affairs; Theo was also a cousin to the artist and promoter of cultural events,
Richard Demarco
Richard Demarco CBE (born 9 July 1930 in Edinburgh) is a Scottish artist and promoter of the visual and performing arts.
Early life
He was born at 9 Grosvenor Street in Edinburgh on 9 July 1930 the son of Carmino Demarco and his wife Elizabe ...
, CBE. She and her twin Norma graduated from the
University of Edinburgh
The University of Edinburgh (, ; abbreviated as ''Edin.'' in Post-nominal letters, post-nominals) is a Public university, public research university based in Edinburgh, Scotland. Founded by the City of Edinburgh Council, town council under th ...
.
The di Marco sisters launched the Edinburgh Chamber Orchestra, of twenty amateur musicians at
Pollock Halls
Pollock or pollack (pronounced ) is the common name used for either of the two species of North Atlantic marine fish in the genus ''Pollachius''. ''Pollachius pollachius'' is referred to as "pollock" in North America, Ireland and the United Kin ...
, on 13 March 1946, in aid of the
International Students Service.
Edinburgh Chamber Orchestra, first concert
The concert was conducted by Claire Spence, and consisted of:
* Arison ''Concerto in E minor''
* Mozart ''
Eine kleine Nacht musik''
* Peter Warlock ''
Capriole Suite''
* Vivaldi ''Cello Concerto in D Major''
* ''Serenade'' (premier) by
Hans Gal
Hans may refer to:
__NOTOC__ People
* Hans (name), a masculine given name
* Hans Raj Hans, Indian singer and politician
** Navraj Hans, Indian singer, actor, entrepreneur, cricket player and performer, son of Hans Raj Hans
** Yuvraj Hans, Punjabi a ...
, who conducted the piece
Career
After teaching in private schools with her sister in Switzerland and then Oxford, in 1953 di Marco became a
Carmelite
The Order of the Brothers of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel (; abbreviated OCarm), known as the Carmelites or sometimes by synecdoche known simply as Carmel, is a mendicant order in the Catholic Church for both men and women. Histo ...
nun, a closed order, which she served for 30 years at St. Peter's Convent, Edinburgh.
The convent closed in 1983, and she joined her sister in London, hosting musical
soirées
A party is a gathering of people who have been invited by a host for the purposes of socializing, conversation, recreation, or as part of a festival or other commemoration or celebration of a special occasion. A party will often feature f ...
, in their home in 10 Pembroke Road,
Notting Hill
Notting Hill is a district of West London, England, in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. Notting Hill is known for being a wikt:cosmopolitan, cosmopolitan and multiculturalism, multicultural neighbourhood, hosting the annual Notting ...
, where Norma protested that a gambling site was to be opened.
Norma died in 2009.
Di Marco died on 17 August 2021, after years of lively hosting or entertaining musical and debating soirees, according to Richard Demarco 'Theo’s love of music along with her “feisty” spirit shone through right to the end.'
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:di Marco, Theodora
1925 births
2021 deaths
Scottish musicians
Scottish people of Italian descent