TARBOX, Frances

Frances Tarbox (1874–1959) was an American composer and pianist whose output included opera, songs, and piano music. Born in St. Paul, Minnesota, she studied music in Paris and with American composer Edward MacDowell, and later established herself in New York City. Her best-known composition, the art song The Joy of a Rose, was frequently performed in recital by baritone Louis Graveure. Her works also include the piano piece Valse Pavlova and songs such as America Stand Forth, Relief from the New Deal, What Them Fellows Does Is Art, and We've Found at Last a Candidate of Presidential Timber. She also composed an opera, although its title is currently unknown. Tarbox's music was published by Carl Fischer, and her name occasionally appears in historical sources as Frances Tarbos.