Ethel Mary Smyth (1858-1944) was an English composer and a prominent figure in the late Romantic and early 20th-century music scene. She is best known for her contributions to opera and choral music, reflecting influences from Wagner and the English choral tradition. Smyth's most notable works include the opera "The Wreckers" (1906), which showcases her ability to blend dramatic narrative with powerful musical expression, and the feminist anthem "The March of the Women" (1910), which became associated with the suffragette movement. Smyth was a trailblazer for women in music, being one of the first female composers to achieve recognition in a predominantly male field. Her work has been influential in promoting women's rights and has garnered increased attention in recent years, reflecting a broader reassessment of women's contributions to classical music. In 1910, she became the first female composer to be made a member of the Royal Academy of Music. Smyth's legacy continues through her compositions, which are increasingly performed and recorded, highlighting her significant impact on the evolution of opera and choral music.