in manchester evelyn helped her husband by being his secretary. she drove him everywhere, and was always by his side at rehearsals to help him. as barbirolli gradually became ill she spent nearly all her time with him instead of playing the oboe. she travelled with him to america when he became conductor of the houston symphony orchestra. barbirolli kept working hard although he was not well. during his last years they had financial problems when barbirolli’s manager caused them to lose a lot of money.