Dame Fanny Waterman, who founded the world famous Leeds International Piano Competition and was a major figure on the Harrogate arts scene, has died at the age of 100.
Dame Fanny was one of the most influential people in the classical world. She remained active until her final year and regularly attended events in the Harrogate district.
She became honorary president of Harrogate International Festivals, the charity that organises numerous festivals each year, at the age of 89.
Sharon Canavar, chief executive of HIF said:
“When I became chief executive in 2009, I visited Dame Fanny at Woodgarth and she told me, without being asked, that she would be delighted to become our honorary president.
“Her support, enthusiasm for life and music, along with an indomitable networking capacity, meant an incredibly steep learning curve!
“It was a fitting association in the last decade of her life, given her passion for the arts in Yorkshire and we were thrilled to have her input as a friend over the years”
The prestige of the Leeds International Piano Competition, and Dame Fanny’s stature, encouraged many finalists to perform at venues in the Harrogate district.
Dame Fanny was an honorary patron of the Northern Aldborough Festival, near Boroughbridge, and her patronage of the event led to many of the world’s premier pianists regularly performing at this rural festival.
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