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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 76-100 of 193 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Victor B-11871 10-in. 4/12/1912 Mammy's lullaby Louise Homer Contralto vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, contralto  
Victor C-12411 12-in. 9/25/1912 Come unto me Louise Homer Contralto vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, contralto  
Victor C-12412 12-in. 9/25/1912 Let me dream again Louise Homer Contralto vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, contralto  
Victor B-12413 10-in. 9/25/1912 Nancy Lee Louise Homer Contralto vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, contralto  
Victor C-12720 12-in. 12/13/1912 Requiem Louise Homer Contralto vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, contralto  
Victor C-12844 12-in. 1/25/1913 Suse, liebe Suse Alma Gluck ; Louise Homer Vocal duet (soprano and contralto), with orchestra vocalist, contralto  
Victor C-12845 12-in. 1/25/1913 Der Kleine Sandmann bin ich Alma Gluck ; Louise Homer Vocal duet (soprano and contralto), with orchestra vocalist, contralto  
Victor B-12846 10-in. 1/25/1913 Abide with me Alma Gluck ; Louise Homer Vocal duet (soprano and contralto), with orchestra vocalist, contralto  
Victor B-12847 10-in. 1/25/1913 Mira, o Norma Alma Gluck ; Louise Homer Vocal duet (soprano and contralto), with orchestra vocalist, contralto  
Victor C-12847 12-in. 9/25/1916 Mira o Norma Alma Gluck ; Louise Homer Vocal duet (soprano and contralto), with orchestra vocalist, contralto  
Victor B-12848 10-in. 1/25/1913 Hexenritt Alma Gluck ; Louise Homer Vocal duet (soprano and contralto), with orchestra vocalist, contralto  
Victor B-13126 10-in. 4/15/1913 How can I leave thee Geraldine Farrar ; Louise Homer Vocal duet (soprano and contralto), with orchestra vocalist, contralto  
Victor C-13127 12-in. 4/15/1913 Alla capanna andiamo Geraldine Farrar ; Louise Homer Vocal duet (soprano and contralto), with orchestra vocalist, contralto  
Victor B-13128 10-in. 4/15/1913 Gruss Geraldine Farrar ; Louise Homer Vocal duet (soprano and contralto), with orchestra vocalist, contralto  
Victor B-13129 10-in. 4/15/1913 Sandmännchen Geraldine Farrar ; Louise Homer Vocal duet (soprano and contralto), with orchestra vocalist, contralto  
Victor C-13130 12-in. 4/15/1913 Der Engel Geraldine Farrar ; Louise Homer Vocal duet (soprano and contralto), with orchestra vocalist, contralto  
Victor B-14845 10-in. 5/20/1914 Life's dream is o'er Alma Gluck ; Louise Homer Vocal duet (soprano and contralto), with orchestra vocalist, contralto  
Victor B-14846 10-in. 5/20/1914 Barcarolle Alma Gluck ; Louise Homer Vocal duet (soprano and contralto), with orchestra vocalist, contralto  
Victor B-14847 10-in. 5/20/1914 Jesus, lover of my soul Alma Gluck ; Louise Homer Vocal duet (soprano and contralto), with orchestra vocalist, contralto  
Victor B-14848 10-in. 5/20/1914 I need Thee every hour Alma Gluck ; Louise Homer Vocal duet (soprano and contralto), with orchestra vocalist, contralto  
Victor B-14849 10-in. 5/20/1914 Passage-birds' farewell Alma Gluck ; Louise Homer Vocal duet (soprano and contralto), with orchestra vocalist, contralto  
Victor B-14850 10-in. 5/20/1914 Rock of ages Alma Gluck ; Louise Homer Vocal duet (soprano and contralto), with orchestra vocalist, contralto  
Victor C-14902 12-in. 5/27/1914 The song of the shirt Louise Homer Contralto vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, contralto  
Victor B-14906 10-in. 5/27/1914 I cannot sing the old songs Louise Homer Contralto vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, contralto  
Victor B-14909 10-in. 5/27/1914 Boats sail on the rivers Louise Homer Contralto vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, contralto  
(Results 76-100 of 193 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Homer, Louise," accessed April 26, 2024, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/101986.

Homer, Louise. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved April 26, 2024, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/101986.

"Homer, Louise." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 26 April 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

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

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