Tim Horwood wrote: >I had the impression that he spent some time in Florida and then later >lived in France. Delius spent some years in the Jacksonville Fla area tending his father's orange orchards. In 1887 he wrote the "Florida Suite" which was premiered in Lepzig upon his return to Europe. Although he later revised the piece - the Makarras recording is of the origional version - and Beecham re-ordered the sections - Delius never heard the piece again. It was next performed in 1937. I disagree with Steve Schwartz that opera was the area of Delius' greatest accomplishment. Certainly choral/voice was an important part of his outout, and "Sea Drift" is considered his masterpiece. Also important in his output is the Violin Concerto, North Country Sketches, Songs of Sunset, The Song of the High Hills, and the wonderful "Songs of Farewell" - to which we are forever grateful to Eric Fenby for drawing it out of the ailing Delius - literally one note at a time. For those who want a good introduction, try the CD "Delius Minatures" Dave Harman El Paso, Tx We hear rumors of 'music' from the lips of strangers passing through ..