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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 1-25 of 193 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Victor C-490 12-in. 10/5/1903 Nobil signori, salute! Louise Homer Contralto vocal solo, with piano vocalist, contralto  
Victor C-491 12-in. 10/5/1903 O toi qui m'abandonnes Louise Homer Contralto vocal solo, with piano vocalist, contralto  
Victor B-492 10-in. 10/5/1903 Faites-lui mes aveux Louise Homer Contralto vocal solo, with piano vocalist, contralto  
Victor C-493 12-in. 10/5/1903 He shall feed his flock Louise Homer Contralto vocal solo, with piano vocalist, contralto  
Victor B-494 10-in. 10/5/1903 Annie Laurie Louise Homer Contralto vocal solo, with piano (take 1); with orchestra (takes 2 and 3) vocalist, contralto  
Victor B-620 10-in. 11/2/1903 May Day Louise Homer Contralto vocal solo, with piano vocalist, contralto  
Victor C-621 12-in. 11/2/1903 Mon coeur s'ouvre Louise Homer Contralto vocal solo, with piano vocalist, contralto  
Victor C-622 12-in. 11/2/1903 Away with mourning and crying Louise Homer Contralto vocal solo, with piano vocalist, contralto  
Victor C-623 12-in. 11/2/1903 Che farò Louise Homer Contralto vocal solo, with piano vocalist, contralto  
Victor B-624 10-in. 11/2/1903 Sing me a song of a lad who is gone Louise Homer Contralto vocal solo, with piano vocalist, contralto  
Victor B-2237 10-in. 2/11/1905 Ariosa Louise Homer Contralto vocal solo, with piano vocalist, contralto  
Victor C-2238 12-in. 2/11/1905 O don fatale Louise Homer Contralto vocal solo, with instrumental accompaniment vocalist, contralto  
Victor C-2239 12-in. 6/6/1905 O rest in the Lord Louise Homer Contralto vocal solo, with piano (take 1); with orchestra (takes 2 and 3) vocalist, contralto  
Victor B-2239 10-in. 2/11/1905 Oh rest in the Lord Louise Homer Contralto vocal solo, with piano vocalist, contralto  
Victor C-2240 12-in. 2/11/1905 Turn ye to me Louise Homer Contralto vocal solo, with piano vocalist, contralto  
Victor C-2601 12-in. 6/6/1905 Les filles de Cadiz Louise Homer Contralto vocal solo, with piano vocalist, contralto  
Victor B-2601 10-in. 6/6/1905 Les filles de Cadiz Louise Homer Contralto vocal solo, with piano vocalist, contralto  
Victor C-2602 12-in. 6/6/1905 Ah! Mon fils Louise Homer ; Victor Orchestra Contralto vocal solo, with piano vocalist, contralto  
Victor B-2603 10-in. 6/6/1905 Old folks at home Louise Homer Contralto vocal solo, with piano vocalist, contralto  
Victor B-2604 10-in. 6/6/1905 Habanera Louise Homer Contralto vocal solo, with piano vocalist, contralto  
Victor C-3861 12-in. 10/9/1906 He shall feed his flock Louise Homer Contralto vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, contralto  
Victor C-3862 12-in. 10/9/1906 Stride la vampa Louise Homer Contralto vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, contralto  
Victor BVE-3862 10-in. 5/31/1927 Stride la vampa! Louise Homer Contralto vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, contralto  
Victor B-3862 10-in. 10/9/1906 Stride la vampa Louise Homer Contralto vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, contralto  
Victor C-3863 12-in. 10/9/1906 Mon coeur s'ouvre à ta voix Louise Homer Contralto vocal solo, with cello and orchestra vocalist, contralto  
(Results 1-25 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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