Elizabeth Handley holds a B.Mus.(Honours) with Art History degree and H.Dip.Ed. from the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, SA. She is also an accredited lecturer with The Arts Society (UK).

Before transferring to Sweden for her husband’s work in 2010, Elizabeth was a music programme compiler and producer at the SABC, and then an impresario’s assistant organising the concert tours of overseas artists throughout Southern Africa. During her free time she was a church organist, chorister, and flautist and harpsichord-player in Baroque ensembles.

While teaching privately, and lecturing for various cultural interest groups in the main centres in South Africa, she presented pre-concert talks for the Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra and the Artscape Theatre (opera and ballet) in Cape Town.

Since 1995 she has been joyfully teaching adults the history and appreciation of music and art in South Africa, Stockholm, London and Milan, and at the Cape Town University and Marlborough College (UK) Summer Schools.

A “sunbird” between Cape Town and Stockholm, Elizabeth loves traveling, and enjoys opera, ballet, concerts, meeting people, Pilates, aqua aerobics, painting, and creating multimedia needlework pictures.

All with PowerPoint slide presentations, and musical illustrations where relevant.

A. Famous Composers: from Bach to Tchaikovsky, all the best-known and most popular composers their lives and music, loves and triumphs – all with delightful anecdotes.

B. Miscellaneous subjects in the arts: a wide variety of topics from American, French, Italian, Eastern European and British music (including the Coronation, 2023) to music in films, art and music influencing one another, and the history of Classical music in a “nutshell”. Christmas talks: the Nativity story in pictures and music. Love music for Valentine's Day.

C. Ballet & D Opera Appreciation talks: from the great opera composers to Gilbert & Sullivan. Suitable for performances taking place in cities to be visited.

E. Women in the Arts: women composers and artists through the ages

F. Talks about Scandinavia: Sweden, Norway and Denmark: fun facts, culture & customs, history, mythology, places to visit, top tips and food.

G. Talks About Culture and Travels in Europe & Asia: the highlights of countries in Western and Eastern Europe, Greece and islands, Russia. Istanbul & Thailand: Bangkok and islands.

H . Talks about South Africa: province by province: contrasting landscapes, what to see and do, the best of the best: Kruger Park, history, culture, stories and food. Suitable for cruises from Cape Town.

I Archaeological talks: the origins of music and dance; the music of Ancient Greece brought to life today.

II
Interactive Workshops: What is music? How to listen to music for maximum understanding and enjoyment; the musical forms and terms explained; enhancing your CD collection.

III
Courses: suitable for longer cruises and/or at sea days: focussing on great composers such as Beethoven, Mozart and Tchaikovsky, and the “musical fingerprints” of other composers, opera, and a synthesis of the arts (music and paintings, sculpture and architecture in Europe).

The following recent Cruise History has been recorded for this candidate.