Vivienne Pittendrigh, 1935-2018, RIP

Vivienne Pittendrigh introducing a Divertimenti in Corfu chamber music event.

Music was Vivienne Pittendrigh's life and passion, which she shared with Corfiots and enthusiasts from all over the world, loyal followers of Chamber Music Holidays and Festivals, and of Divertimenti.

Vivienne organised outstanding recitals and concerts, as well as tours and excursions to fascinating parts of Greece and Albania. Her determination, personal involvement and total commitment shone out at all times, and her generous hospitality. Resident on Corfu for perhaps three decades, she moved house often in recent years; she cared deeply about the island, its future prosperity and its cultural life, and persevered even when faced with sometimes exasperating administrative and infrastructural challenges. Luckily she had many supporters, sponsors and collaborators. She was more of a citizen of Greece and Corfu than an expat, and leapt to the defense of the island whenever she felt it was unfairly criticized for environmental shortcomings.

Chamber Music Holidays started in London in 1982.

Vivienne founded the Divertimenti in Corfu Festival with the then Mayor Sarlis in 1991.

Her online profile provides the following brief biographical details:

"Born and educated in Sydney Australia, P.L.C Pymble Sydney, Sydney Conservatorium of Music.
Radio, Television and Concert performances during and after studies.
Teacher Piano, strings, chamber music and orchestra at P.L.C. Pymble.
Taught Business and Legal English as Consultant at Ministry of Justice Vienna and Ministry of Agriculture Hungary. Summer School Director Language School,at Chelsea College London".

Vivienne had also lived in Bournemouth, Dorset. Like the Durrells, she felt more at home on Corfu.

She had a wide network of friends, musicians and other musical contacts in countries like the Czech Republic, Austria, Greece and Australia - all around the world, in fact.

Vivienne will be much missed. I am personally grateful for the wonderful musical experiences she offered us, and for her friendship and hospitality over the years.

I am informed that the funeral will be at the British Cemetery, Corfu Town, on Wednesday, 19th December, 2018.


Sydney Morning Herald Notice



«Έφυγε» η Vivienne Pittendrigh, «ψυχή» των Divertimenti in Corfu, Enimerosi Online

Συλλυπητήριο μήνυμα του Δημάρχου Κώστα Νικολούζου για το θάνατο της Vivienne Pittendrigh
"Δημιουργός και «ψυχή» των Divertimenti in Corfu και των Γιορτών Μουσικής Δωματίου, η Vivienne ήταν μια πολίτης του κόσμου που προσπαθούσε διαρκώς να μας κάνει κοινωνούς της μαγείας της μουσικής.
Γεννημένη στην Αυστραλία, είχε επιλέξει να ζει τις τελευταίες δεκαετίες στην Κέρκυρα στην οποία αισθανόταν «σπίτι» της και νοιαζόταν γι αυτήν.
Οι φίλοι της σε όλον τον κόσμο θα τη θυμόμαστε με αγάπη για την καλλιέργεια της και την επιμονή με την οποία υπηρετούσε τους στόχους της".¨