A talk by David Winpenny on the life of Gladys, Marchioness of Ripon, ‘fast’ woman and patron of opera and ballet. A friend of the great soprano Nellie Melba, as well as ballet dancer Nijinsky, she was reputed to be the lover of the Polish tenor Jean de Reszke. Responsible for reviving the fortunes of Covent Garden she invited Diaghilev and the Ballet Rousse to London, where they were a huge success.