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Louise Homer

Louise Beatty Homer (April 30, 1871 – May 6, 1947) was an American operatic dramatic contralto who had an active international career in concert halls and opera houses from 1895 until her retirement in 1932.

After a brief stint as a vaudeville entertainer in New England, she made her professional opera debut in France in 1898. She then became a member of the Metropolitan Opera from 1900 to 1919 and again from 1927 to 1929. She was also active as an opera singer in Boston, Chicago, and California. She recorded extensively for Victor Records and Columbia Records in the early decades of the 20th century. She was married to composer Sidney Homer for 52 years. The composer Samuel Barber was her nephew.

Homer sang a broad repertoire which encompassed works from the French, German, and Italian repertoires. She enjoyed particular success in the operas of Giuseppe Verdi and Richard Wagner. She often stated in interviews that her favorite role to perform was Amneris in Verdi's Aida. At the Met she sang in several United States premieres and created roles in two world premieres: the witch in Engelbert Humperdinck's Königskinder and the title role in Horatio Parker's Mona. Soprano Nellie Melba once hailed her as "the world's most beautiful voice". In 1923 and 1924 she was listed as one of the 12 greatest living women by the National League of Women Voters.

Birth and Death Data: Born April 30, 1871 (Pittsburgh), Died May 6, 1947 (Winter Park)

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1903 - 1929

Roles Represented in DAHR: contralto

Notes: Wife of composer Sidney Homer. Their daughter Louise Homer Stires also made recordings.

= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.

Recordings (Results 176-193 of 193 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Victor CVE-41605 12-in. 1/10/1928 Mal reggendo all' aspro assalto Louise Homer ; Giovanni Martinelli Vocal duet (contralto and tenor), with orchestra vocalist, contralto  
Victor CVE-41606 12-in. 1/10/1928 Ai nostri monti Louise Homer ; Giovanni Martinelli Vocal duet (contralto and tenor), with orchestra vocalist, contralto  
Victor BVE-47817 10-in. 10/9/1928 Whispering hope Louise Homer ; Marion Talley Vocal duet (soprano and contralto), with orchestra vocalist, contralto  
Victor BVE-47818 10-in. 10/9/1928 One sweetly solemn thought Louise Homer ; Marion Talley Vocal duet (soprano and contralto), with orchestra vocalist, contralto  
Victor CVE-51980 12-in. 5/8/1929 Nur, wer die Sehnsucht kennt Louise Homer Contralto vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, contralto  
Victor B-[Unnumbered 1925-01-27-01] 10-in. 1/27/1925 To a wild rose Louise Homer ; Louise Homer Stires Vocal duet (soprano and contralto), with piano vocalist, contralto  
Victor [Trial 1920-03-01-01] Not documented 3/1/1920 O luce di quest' anima Louise Homer Contralto vocal solo, with piano vocalist, contralto  
Victor [Trial 1920-03-01-02] Not documented 3/1/1920 Turn ye to me Louise Homer Contralto vocal solo, with piano vocalist, contralto  
Victor [Trial 1920-03-01-03] Not documented 3/1/1920 I come Louise Homer Contralto vocal solo, with piano vocalist, contralto  
Victor [Trial 1921-01-27-01] 12-in. 1/27/1921 Mother Goose rhymes Louise Homer Contralto vocal solo, with piano vocalist, contralto  
Victor [Trial 1924-02-28-01] 10-in. 2/28/1924 The mermaid song Louise Homer Contralto vocal solo, with piano vocalist, contralto  
Victor [Trial 1924-02-28-02] Not documented 2/28/1924 Battle hymn of the republic Louise Homer Contralto vocal solo, with piano vocalist, contralto  
Victor [Trial 1924-02-28-03] 10-in. 2/28/1924 Dinna ask me Louise Homer Contralto vocal solo, with piano vocalist, contralto  
Victor [Trial 1924-02-28-04] 10-in. 2/28/1924 Tally-ho Louise Homer Contralto vocal solo, with piano vocalist, contralto  
Victor [Trial 1924-02-28-05] 10-in. 2/28/1924 Songs my mother taught me Louise Homer Contralto vocal solo, with piano vocalist, contralto  
Victor [Trial 1924-02-28-06] 10-in. 2/28/1924 Barnyard songs Louise Homer Contralto vocal solo, with piano vocalist, contralto  
Victor [Trial 1924-02-28-07] 10-in. 2/28/1924 Calm as the night Louise Homer Contralto vocal solo, with piano vocalist, contralto  
Victor [Trial 1924-02-28-08] 10-in. 2/28/1924 I think when I read that sweet story of old Louise Homer Contralto vocal solo, with piano vocalist, contralto  
(Results 176-193 of 193 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Homer, Louise," accessed November 21, 2024, https://adpprod2.library.ucsb.edu/names/101986.

Homer, Louise. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved November 21, 2024, from https://adpprod2.library.ucsb.edu/names/101986.

"Homer, Louise." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 21 November 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adpprod2.library.ucsb.edu/names/101986

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