A photo of the orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, in the 1950s shows about a hundred players, all men but for the first flute player, Patricia Lynden. My cousin Pat, who has died aged 89, played with the ROH orchestra for six years from 1956, then freelanced for the next 10 or 11 years, playing with various orchestras before being invited to join the Philharmonia.
There followed nine marvellous years of playing and recording under great conductors such as Riccardo Muti, Vladimir Ashkenazy and Lorin Maazel. After leaving the Philharmonia, Pat returned to Covent Garden and then to the ENO, before retiring at 55. She subsequently taught many pupils, to whom she gave dedicated care and encouragement.
She played at a period when women were scarcely seen in orchestras, let alone as section principal. It is said that no one ever uttered a bad word about her – almost unheard of in classical orchestral life.
Pat was born in Barnet, north London. Her father, Frank Lynden, an accountant, was a keen singer and conductor. Her mother, Phyllis (nee Edwards), also sang. Pat went to Queen Elizabeth’s school for girls, Barnet, and took up the flute when she was 14. Initially self-taught, she then went to Christopher Claudis for three years. Pat studied under Edward Walker at the Royal College of Music. On leaving, at the age of 21, she became first flute in the orchestra of Sadler’s Wells Opera (later to become English National Opera). After a year she was auditioned by Rafael Kubelík to become first flute at Covent Garden Opera House.
Although she was such a well-regarded player, Pat was incredibly modest and down to earth. Despite her success, she said playing in orchestras was “a struggle”. She was extremely generous and prioritised family obligations over her career and her personal life. Loved by her neighbours, she continued to live in the house where she was raised, until moving into care two years ago.
Pat is survived by me, and several other cousins.
