Sidonie Goossens, 105; Harpist With BBC Orchestra for 50 Years

Sidonie Goossens, 105, a harpist and the last survivor of a musically distinguished family, died Wednesday at her home in suburban London.

Goossens was principal harpist of the BBC Symphony Orchestra from 1930 until her retirement 50 years later. In 1924, according to Grove Music Online, she became the first harpist to broadcast a harp solo. In 1936, she was the first harp soloist to appear on television.

At age 91 in 1991, she became the oldest person to perform at the Last Night of the Proms concert, televised by the BBC.

Her father and her grandfather, both named Eugene, were principal conductors of the Carl Rosa Opera Company. Her sister, Marie, who died in 1991, also was a harpist and held a succession of posts with British orchestras.

Her brother Leon, who died in 1988, was a renowned oboe player who commissioned works from composers, including Edward Elgar and Ralph Vaughan Williams. Another brother, Eugene, who died in 1962, directed symphony orchestras in the United States and later was chief conductor of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra in Australia.