Jacqueline du Pre

Jacqueline Mary du Pré OBE (26th January 1945 - 19th October 1987) was a British cellist, acknowledged as one of the greatest players of the instrument. She is particularly associated with Elgar's Cello Concerto in E Minor; her interpretation of that work has been described as "definitive" and "legendary". Her career was cut short by multiple sclerosis, which forced her to cease performing at the age of 28, and led to her premature death. In 1971 du Pré's playing began an irreversible decline as she started to lose sensitivity in her fingers and other parts of her body. She was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) in October 1973. Du Pré died in London on 19th October 1987, aged 42. She is buried in Golders Green Jewish Cemetery.