Discovering the extent of Louise Hanson Dyer’s generosity is much like unearthing precious metals; the deeper you dig, the more you find.

Born in Melbourne in 1884, Dyer undertook graduate piano studies in both London and Edinburgh in 1907 and 1908. Though she never pursued a concert career, her patronage and passion for the arts persisted throughout her life.

Louise Hanson Dyer. Photo © UM Archives.

She married her first husband, Scottish businessman James Dyer, in 1911 and together, they hosted intimate concerts in their home where they supported young artists with their generosity and connections.

After moving to Paris, Louise established the publishing house Editions de l’Oiseau-lyre to promote historically accurate performances of Baroque music and publish the major collections of Medieval music, then largely unknown. Her collected editions became landmarks of music libraries the world over and remain the key reference works for Medieval and Baroque performers, researchers and students today.

While there are many more examples of Louise’s generosity, both large and small, her final gift was left in her Will to the University’s Melbourne Conservatorium of Music where her legacy continues to support symposiums and concerts at the Conservatorium...