Anna Case
Anna Case (October 29, 1887 - January 7, 1984) was an American operatic lyric soprano. She recorded with Thomas Alva Edison, who used her voice extensively in "tone tests" of whether a live audience could tell the difference between the actual singer and a recording. In addition to recordings for Edison Records on both phonograph cylinder and Diamond Disc, Case recorded for Victor and Columbia Records, and made sound film for Vitaphone. She was born in Clinton, New Jersey, on October 29, 1887. and educated by vocal trainer Augusta Öhrström-Renard in New York. She made her debut in 1909 at the New Theatre in New York as the Dutch Boy in Werther, and from 1909–1916 was a member of the Metropolitan Opera Company. In first American performances, she created the roles of Sophie in Der Rosenkavalier (1913) and Feodor in Boris Godunov (1913). She sang Olympia in Tales of Hoffmann, Mimi in La Boheme, and Micaela in Carmen. She wrote music and lyrics to several songs during the 1910s and '20s. She made her film debut in the 1919 silent drama film The Hidden Truth, and sang one of her original songs in the 1926 Vitaphone short La Fiesta. She also appeared in documentaries about sound recording. In 1930 she recorded "Just Awearyin' for You" by Frank Lebby Stanton and Carrie Jacobs-Bond. On July 18, 1931, she married ITT Corporation executive Clarence H. Mackay at St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church in Roslyn, New York, and retired from the stage shortly afterwards. She began write songs more prolifically in 1936, penning over 50 in two years, and sang occasionally at social events. Her husband died in November, 1938, and Case died in New York City on January 7, 1984. Upon her death she bequeathed her 167.97-carat (33.59 g) Colombian emerald ring and Cartier necklace containing more than 2,000 diamonds, 35 emeralds and an oval cabochon-cut Columbian emerald of 167.97 carat to the Smithsonian Institution. |
Birth and Death Data: Born January 1, 1888 (Clinton), Died January 7, 1984 (New York City)
Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1913 - 1930
Roles Represented in DAHR: soprano vocal, composer, lyricist
= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.
Recordings
Company | Matrix No. | Size | First Recording Date | Title | Primary Performer | Description | Role | Audio |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Victor | C-13131 | 12-in. | 4/16/1913 | Du also bist mein Braütigam? | Johanna Gadski | Soprano vocal solo, with female vocal trio and orchestra | vocalist, soprano vocal | |
Columbia | W147150 | 10-in. | 11/2/1928 | My pretty Jane (The bloom is on the rye) | Anna Case | Soprano vocal solo, with orchestra | vocalist, soprano vocal | |
Columbia | W147428 | 10-in. | 11/2/1928 | My laddie | Anna Case | Soprano vocal solo, with orchestra | vocalist, soprano vocal | |
Columbia | W148185 | 10-in. | 4/5/1929 | The little red lark | Anna Case | Soprano vocal solo, with piano | vocalist, soprano vocal | |
Columbia | W148186 | 10-in. | 4/5/1929 | Doreen | Anna Case | Soprano vocal solo, with piano | vocalist, soprano vocal | |
Columbia | W148501 | 10-in. | 5/10/1929 | Alleluia | Anna Case | Soprano vocal solo, with piano | vocalist, soprano vocal | |
Columbia | W148535 | 10-in. | 5/16/1929 | Care selve | Anna Case | Soprano vocal solo, with orchestra | vocalist, soprano vocal | |
Columbia | W148704 | 10-in. | 6/18/1929 | In quelle trine morbide | Anna Case | Soprano vocal solo, with piano | vocalist, soprano vocal | |
Columbia | W148705 | 10-in. | 6/18/1929 | Amor commanda | Anna Case | Soprano vocal solo, with piano | vocalist, soprano vocal | |
Columbia | W148706 | 10-in. | 6/18/1929 | Care selve | Anna Case | Soprano vocal solo, with piano | vocalist, soprano vocal | |
Columbia | W150128 | 10-in. | 3/26/1930 | Care selve | Anna Case | Soprano vocal solo, with piano | vocalist, soprano vocal | |
Columbia | W150129 | 10-in. | 3/26/1930 | Amor commanda | Anna Case | Soprano vocal solo, with piano | vocalist, soprano vocal | |
Columbia | W150130 | 10-in. | 3/26/1930 | In quelle trine morbide | Anna Case | Soprano vocal solo, with piano | vocalist, soprano vocal | |
Columbia | W150564 | 10-in. | 6/3/1930 | A perfect day | Anna Case ; Carroll Hollister | Soprano vocal solo, with piano | vocalist, soprano vocal | |
Columbia | W150565 | 10-in. | 6/3/1930 | Just a-wearyin' for you | Anna Case ; Carroll Hollister | Soprano vocal solo, with piano | vocalist, soprano vocal | |
Columbia | W150566 | 10-in. | 6/3/1930 | Bendemeer's stream | Anna Case ; Carroll Hollister | Soprano vocal solo, with piano | vocalist, soprano vocal | |
Columbia | W150567 | 10-in. | 6/3/1930 | Would God I were the tender apple blossom | Anna Case ; Carroll Hollister | Soprano vocal solo, with piano | vocalist, soprano vocal | |
Columbia | W150591 | 10-in. | 6/13/1930 | A song of India | Anna Case ; Carroll Hollister | Soprano vocal solo, with piano | vocalist, soprano vocal | |
Columbia | W150592 | 10-in. | 6/13/1930 | The night wind | Anna Case ; Carroll Hollister | Soprano vocal solo, with piano | vocalist, soprano vocal | |
Columbia | W150597 | 10-in. | 6/19/1930 | My mother bids me bind my hair | Anna Case ; Carroll Hollister | Soprano vocal solo, with piano | vocalist, soprano vocal | |
Columbia | W150598 | 10-in. | 6/19/1930 | The lass with the delicate air | Anna Case ; Carroll Hollister | Soprano vocal solo, with piano | vocalist, soprano vocal | |
Columbia | W98599 | 12-in. | 11/8/1928 | Ave Maria | Anna Case | Soprano vocal solo, with orchestra | vocalist, soprano vocal | |
Columbia | W98605 | 12-in. | 11/8/1928 | Angel's serenade | Anna Case | Soprano vocal solo, with orchestra | vocalist, soprano vocal | |
Columbia | W98606 | 12-in. | 11/16/1928 | O sleep, why dost thou leave me? | Anna Case | Soprano vocal solo, with orchestra | vocalist, soprano vocal | |
Columbia | W98607 | 12-in. | 11/16/1928 | Connais-tu le pays | Anna Case | Soprano vocal solo, with orchestra | vocalist, soprano vocal | |
Columbia | W98648 | 12-in. | 4/2/1929 | Angels ever bright and fair | Anna Case | Soprano vocal solo, with orchestra | vocalist, soprano vocal | |
Columbia | W98649 | 12-in. | 4/2/1929 | Non so più, cosa son | Anna Case | Soprano vocal solo, with orchestra | vocalist, soprano vocal | |
Columbia | W98659 | 12-in. | 5/10/1929 | Angels ever bright and fair | Anna Case | Soprano vocal solo, with orchestra | vocalist, soprano vocal | |
Edison | 2460 | 10-in. | 9/16/1913 | Charmant oiseau | Anna Case | Soprano vocal solo, with orchestra | vocalist, soprano vocal | |
Edison | 2463 | 10-in. | 9/23/1913 | Depuis le jour | Anna Case | Soprano vocal solo, with orchestra | vocalist, soprano vocal | |
Edison | 3172 | 10-in. | July 1914 | Mi chiamano Mimì | Anna Case | Soprano vocal solo, with orchestra | vocalist, soprano vocal | |
Edison | 3173 | 10-in. | July 1914 | Ah! Non credea mirarti | Anna Case | Soprano vocal solo, with orchestra | vocalist, soprano vocal | |
Edison | 3174 | 10-in. | July 1914 | Musetta waltz | Anna Case | Soprano vocal solo, with orchestra | vocalist, soprano vocal | |
Edison | 3347 | 10-in. | Oct. 1914 | Depuis le jour | Anna Case | Soprano vocal solo, with orchestra | vocalist, soprano vocal | |
Edison | 3348 | 10-in. | 10/2/1914 | Mi chiamano Mimì | Anna Case | Soprano vocal solo, with orchestra | vocalist, soprano vocal | |
Edison | 3351 | 10-in. | Oct. 1914 | Quando me'n vo | Anna Case | Soprano vocal solo, with orchestra | vocalist, soprano vocal | |
Edison | 3547 | 10-in. | 1/28/1915 | My laddie | Anna Case | Soprano vocal solo, with orchestra | vocalist, soprano vocal | |
Edison | 3707 | 10-in. | 4/14/1915 | A song of India | Anna Case | Soprano vocal solo, with orchestra | vocalist, soprano vocal | |
Edison | 3796 | 10-in. | 5/18/1915 | Charmant oiseau | Anna Case | Soprano vocal solo, with orchestra | vocalist, soprano vocal | |
Edison | 3805 | 10-in. | 5/20/1915 | Mad scene | Anna Case ; Julius Spindler | Soprano vocal solo, with piano | vocalist, soprano vocal | |
Edison | 3936 | 10-in. | 7/2/1915 | Comin' thro' the rye | Anna Case | Soprano vocal solo, with orchestra | vocalist, soprano vocal | |
Edison | 3968 | 10-in. | 7/14/1915 | Bonnie sweet Bessie | Anna Case | Soprano vocal solo, with orchestra | vocalist, soprano vocal | |
Edison | 4877 | 10-in. | 7/14/1916 | Cradle song 1915 | Anna Case | Soprano vocal solo, with orchestra | vocalist, soprano vocal | |
Edison | 4878 | 10-in. | 7/14/1916 | Annie Laurie | Anna Case | Soprano vocal solo, with orchestra | vocalist, soprano vocal | |
Edison | 4882 | 10-in. | 7/17/1916 | Old folks at home | Anna Case | Soprano vocal solo, with orchestra | vocalist, soprano vocal | |
Edison | 4883 | 10-in. | 7/17/1916 | Home, sweet home | Anna Case | Soprano vocal solo, with orchestra | vocalist, soprano vocal | |
Edison | 4897 | 10-in. | 7/21/1916 | Mighty lak' a rose | Anna Case | Soprano vocal solo, with orchestra | vocalist, soprano vocal | |
Edison | 4898 | 10-in. | 7/21/1916 | Little Boy Blue | Anna Case | Soprano vocal solo, with orchestra | vocalist, soprano vocal | |
Edison | 4925 | 10-in. | 8/16/1916 | Carry me back to old Virginny | Anna Case ; Criterion Quartet | Female vocal solo and male vocal quartet, with orchestra | vocalist, soprano vocal | |
Edison | 5012 | 10-in. | 9/20/1916 | Les oiseaux dans la charmille | Anna Case | Soprano vocal solo, with orchestra | vocalist, soprano vocal | |
Edison | 5578 | 10-in. | 5/22/1917 | The star spangled banner | Anna Case | Soprano vocal solo and mixed vocal chorus, with orchestra | vocalist, soprano vocal | |
Edison | 5647 | 10-in. | 6/28/1917 | Somewhere a voice is calling | Anna Case | Female vocal solo, with orchestra | vocalist, soprano vocal | |
Edison | 5649 | 10-in. | 6/28/1917 | A perfect day | Anna Case | Soprano vocal solo, with orchestra | vocalist, soprano vocal | |
Edison | 6218 | 10-in. | between 6/7/1918 and 6/13/1918 | Will o' the wisp | Anna Case ; Charles Gilbert Spross | Soprano vocal solo, with piano | vocalist, soprano vocal | |
Edison | 6232 | 10-in. | 6/17/1918 | Mon coeur ne peut changer | Anna Case | Soprano vocal solo, with orchestra | vocalist, soprano vocal | |
Edison | 6238 | 10-in. | between 6/17/1918 and 6/20/1918 | Jean | Anna Case ; Charles Gilbert Spross | Soprano vocal solo, with piano | vocalist, soprano vocal | |
Edison | 6247 | 10-in. | between 6/21/1918 and 6/24/1918 | Angels, ever bright and fair | Anna Case | Soprano vocal solo, with orchestra | vocalist, soprano vocal | |
Edison | 6255 | 10-in. | between 7/1/1918 and 7/5/1918 | Synnove's song | Anna Case | Soprano vocal solo, with orchestra | vocalist, soprano vocal | |
Edison | 6258 | 10-in. | between 7/1/1918 and 7/5/1918 | Come where my love lies dreaming | Anna Case ; Criterion Quartet | Soprano vocal solo and male vocal quartet, with orchestra | vocalist, soprano vocal | |
Edison | 6305 | 10-in. | 8/4/1918 | Parle-moi de ma mere | Anna Case ; Ralph Errolle | Vocal duet (soprano and tenor), with orchestra | vocalist, soprano vocal | |
Edison | 6476 | 10-in. | between 11/12/1918 and 11/27/1918 | Coming home | Anna Case | Soprano vocal solo, with orchestra | vocalist, soprano vocal | |
Edison | 6863 | 10-in. | 7/9/1919 | Lithuanian song | Anna Case | Soprano vocal solo, with orchestra | vocalist, soprano vocal | |
Edison | 6871 | 10-in. | 7/14/1919 | O for the wings of a dove | Anna Case | Soprano vocal solo, with orchestra | vocalist, soprano vocal | |
Edison | 6875 | 10-in. | 7/16/1919 | It is well with my soul | Anna Case ; Criterion Quartet | Soprano vocal solo and male vocal quartet, with orchestra | vocalist, soprano vocal | |
Edison | 7242 | 10-in. | 3/24/1920 | No night there | Anna Case | Female vocal solo, with orchestra | vocalist, soprano vocal | |
Edison | 7248 | 10-in. | 10/2/1914 | Good-bye, beloved, good-bye | Anna Case ; Lyric Male Quartet | Soprano vocal solo and male vocal quartet, with orchestra | vocalist, soprano vocal | |
Edison | 7249 | 10-in. | 3/29/1920 | O sleep, why dost thou leave me? | Anna Case | Soprano vocal solo, with orchestra | vocalist, soprano vocal | |
Edison | 7255 | 10-in. | 3/31/1920 | Oh, Mother, my love | Anna Case | Female vocal solo, with orchestra | vocalist, soprano vocal | |
Edison | 7257 | 10-in. | 4/1/1920 | Boats of mine | Anna Case ; Charles Gilbert Spross | Female vocal solo, with piano | vocalist, soprano vocal | |
Edison | 7258 | 10-in. | 4/1/1920 | To you | Anna Case ; Charles Gilbert Spross | Soprano vocal solo, with piano | vocalist, soprano vocal, composer, lyricist | |
Edison | 7262 | 10-in. | 4/2/1920 | How the gates came ajar | Anna Case ; Lyric Male Quartet | Female vocal solo and male vocal quartet, with orchestra | vocalist, soprano vocal | |
Edison | 7263 | 10-in. | 4/2/1920 | Qui la voce | Anna Case | Soprano vocal solo, with orchestra | vocalist, soprano vocal | |
Edison | 7335 | 10-in. | 4/30/1920 | Why thus doth mourn the willow tree | Anna Case ; Paul Reimers | Female-male vocal duet, with orchestra | vocalist, soprano vocal | |
Edison | 7748 | 10-in. | 1/19/1921 | Boats of mine | Anna Case ; Charles Gilbert Spross | Soprano vocal solo, with piano | vocalist, soprano vocal | |
Edison | 8142 | 10-in. | 7/25/1921 | Love lifted me | Anna Case ; Lyric Male Quartet | Female vocal solo and male vocal quartet, with orchestra | vocalist, soprano vocal | |
Edison | 8217 | 10-in. | 9/14/1921 | A song of thanksgiving | Anna Case | Soprano vocal solo, with orchestra | vocalist, soprano vocal | |
Edison | 8218 | 10-in. | 9/14/1921 | Dearie | Anna Case | Female vocal solo, with orchestra | vocalist, soprano vocal | |
Edison | 8227 | 10-in. | 9/26/1921 | Nuit d'étoiles | Anna Case | Soprano vocal solo, with orchestra | vocalist, soprano vocal | |
Edison | 8228 | 10-in. | 9/28/1921 | Le beau rêve | Anna Case | Soprano vocal solo, with orchestra | vocalist, soprano vocal | |
Edison | 8341 | 10-in. | 1/16/1922 | Will you come back to me | Anna Case | Female vocal solo, with orchestra | vocalist, soprano vocal | |
Edison | 8457 | 10-in. | 5/18/1922 | Love is the wind | Anna Case | Female vocal solo, with orchestra | vocalist, soprano vocal | |
Edison | 8458 | 10-in. | 5/18/1922 | Primavera | Anna Case | Soprano vocal solo, with orchestra | vocalist, soprano vocal | |
Edison | 8473 | 10-in. | 5/31/1922 | These are they | Anna Case | Soprano vocal solo, with orchestra | vocalist, soprano vocal | |
Edison | 8480 | 10-in. | 6/7/1922 | Rejoice greatly | Anna Case | Soprano vocal solo, with orchestra | vocalist, soprano vocal | |
Edison | 8481 | 10-in. | 6/19/1922 | Cuncette | Anna Case | Female vocal solo, with orchestra | vocalist, soprano vocal | |
Edison | 8491 | 10-in. | 6/14/1922 | A night in Venice | Anna Case ; Ralph Errolle | Female-male vocal duet, with orchestra | vocalist, soprano vocal | |
Edison | 8496 | 10-in. | 6/19/1922 | Verranno a te sull'aure | Anna Case ; Ralph Errolle | Vocal duet (soprano and tenor), with orchestra | vocalist, soprano vocal | |
Edison | 8505 | 10-in. | 6/26/1922 | E il sol dell' anima | Anna Case ; Ralph Errolle | Vocal duet (soprano and tenor), with orchestra | vocalist, soprano vocal | |
Edison | 8680 | 10-in. | 12/4/1922 | Leonora's lullaby | Anna Case | Female vocal solo, with orchestra | vocalist, soprano vocal | |
Edison | 8766 | 10-in. | 10/8/1923 | Charmant oiseau | Anna Case | Soprano vocal solo, with orchestra | vocalist, soprano vocal | |
Edison | 8984 | 10-in. | 5/16/1923 | Jerusalem | Anna Case | Soprano vocal solo, with piano | vocalist, soprano vocal | |
Edison | 8987 | 10-in. | 10/2/1914 | Twilight dreams are dreams of you | Anna Case | Soprano vocal solo, with orchestra | vocalist, soprano vocal | |
Edison | 9004 | 10-in. | 6/1/1923 | Villanelle | Anna Case ; Charles Gilbert Spross | Female vocal solo, with piano | vocalist, soprano vocal | |
Edison | 9009 | 10-in. | 6/5/1923 | Amoureuse | Anna Case | Female vocal solo, with orchestra | vocalist, soprano vocal | |
Edison | 9010 | 10-in. | 6/5/1923 | Dear land of home | Anna Case ; Charles Gilbert Spross | Female vocal solo, with piano | vocalist, soprano vocal | |
Edison | 9030 | 10-in. | 6/13/1923 | Our paradise | Anna Case | Soprano vocal solo, with orchestra | vocalist, soprano vocal | |
Edison | 9035 | 10-in. | 6/15/1923 | The valley of laughter | Anna Case | Female vocal solo, with orchestra | vocalist, soprano vocal | |
Edison | 9039 | 10-in. | 6/21/1923 | Le mal du pays | Anna Case ; Robert Gayler | Soprano vocal solo, with piano | vocalist, soprano vocal | |
Edison | 9054 | 10-in. | 6/29/1923 | Printemps | Anna Case | Soprano vocal solo, with orchestra | vocalist, soprano vocal | |
Edison | 9059 | 10-in. | 7/5/1923 | Open thou, my love, thy blue eyes | Anna Case | Soprano vocal solo, with orchestra | vocalist, soprano vocal | |
Edison | 9088 | 10-in. | 10/2/1914 | Bye and bye you will forget me | Anna Case | Soprano vocal solo and vocal ensemble, with orchestra | vocalist, soprano vocal | |
Edison | 9165 | 10-in. | 9/18/1923 | Hear how the sweet sound | Anna Case | Soprano vocal solo, with orchestra | vocalist, soprano vocal | |
Edison | 9609 | 10-in. | 7/10/1924 | How long wilt Thou forget me | Anna Case | Soprano vocal solo, with orchestra | vocalist, soprano vocal | |
Edison | 9624 | 10-in. | 7/17/1924 | Imi au ia oe | Anna Case | Soprano vocal solo, with instrumental duet | vocalist, soprano vocal | |
Edison | 9639 | 10-in. | 7/23/1924 | Na lei o Hawaii | Anna Case | Soprano vocal solo, with instrumental duet | vocalist, soprano vocal | |
Edison | 9640 | 10-in. | 7/23/1924 | Sweet lei lehua | Anna Case | Soprano vocal solo, with instrumental duet | vocalist, soprano vocal | |
Edison | 9647 | 10-in. | 7/28/1924 | Beautiful Kahana | Anna Case | Soprano vocal solo, with instrumental duet | vocalist, soprano vocal | |
Edison | 10110 | 12-in. | 8/13/1926 | September sample record no. 10 | Anna Case ; Glen Ellison ; Arthur Hall ; Ernest Hare ; Billy Jones ; Jerry Macy ; John Ryan ; Ed Smalle | Dubbed recordings | vocalist, soprano vocal | |
Edison | 10287 | 10-in. | 3/31/1925 | Indian love call | Anna Case | Soprano vocal solo, with orchestra | vocalist, soprano vocal | |
Edison | 10296 | 10-in. | 4/3/1925 | Indian dawn | Anna Case | Soprano vocal solo, with orchestra | vocalist, soprano vocal | |
Edison | 10297 | 10-in. | 4/3/1925 | Open the gate of your heart | Anna Case | Soprano vocal solo, with orchestra | vocalist, soprano vocal | |
Edison | 10301 | 10-in. | 4/7/1925 | The mocking bird | Anna Case | Soprano vocal solo, with orchestra | vocalist, soprano vocal | |
Edison | 10302 | 10-in. | 4/7/1925 | Good-bye! | Anna Case | Soprano vocal solo, with orchestra | vocalist, soprano vocal | |
Edison | 10312 | 10-in. | 4/10/1925 | Beneath the summer skies | Anna Case | Soprano vocal solo, with orchestra | vocalist, soprano vocal | |
Edison | 10314 | 10-in. | 4/10/1925 | For all eternity | Anna Case | Soprano vocal solo, with orchestra | vocalist, soprano vocal | |
Edison | 10318 | 10-in. | 4/14/1925 | Cuckoo, shall I grow old? | Anna Case | Soprano vocal solo, with orchestra | vocalist, soprano vocal | |
Edison | 11070 | 10-in. | 6/24/1926 | Only a rose | Anna Case | Soprano vocal solo, with orchestra | vocalist, soprano vocal | |
Edison | 11071 | 10-in. | 6/24/1926 | A night of love | Anna Case | Soprano vocal solo, with orchestra | vocalist, soprano vocal | |
Edison | 12043 | 12-in. | July 1927 or later | Carry me back to old Virginny | André Benoist ; Anna Case ; Criterion Quartet | LP compilation : Instrumental and vocal | vocalist, soprano vocal | |
Edison | 12044 | 12-in. | 7/31/1927 or later | The mocking bird | André Benoist ; Anna Case | LP compilation : Instrumental and vocal | vocalist, soprano vocal |
Citation
Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Case, Anna," accessed November 21, 2024, https://adpprod2.library.ucsb.edu/names/108838.
Case, Anna. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved November 21, 2024, from https://adpprod2.library.ucsb.edu/names/108838.
"Case, Anna." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 21 November 2024.
DAHR Persistent Identifier
External Sources
Wikipedia: Anna Case
Discogs: Anna Case
Allmusic: Anna Case
Grove: Anna Case
IMDb: Anna Case
Linked Open Data Sources
LCNAR: Case, Anna, 1888-1984 - http://id.loc.gov/authorities/names/no89011212
Wikidata: Anna Case - http://www.wikidata.org/entity/Q4766901
VIAF: http://viaf.org/viaf/54356167
MusicBrainz: Anna Case - https://musicbrainz.org/artist/e64728ab-504c-4e07-a8b6-81e32236ba65
Wikipedia content provided under the terms of the Creative Commons BY-SA license
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