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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 101-125 of 193 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Victor B-15390 10-in. 11/12/1914 One sweetly solemn thought Alma Gluck ; Louise Homer Vocal duet (soprano and contralto), with orchestra vocalist, contralto  
Victor B-15391 10-in. 11/12/1914 Oh morning land Alma Gluck ; Louise Homer Vocal duet (soprano and contralto), with orchestra vocalist, contralto  
Victor C-17341 12-in. 3/20/1916 A te questo rosario Enrico Caruso ; Ema Destinnová ; Louise Homer Vocal trio (soprano, contralto, and tenor), with orchestra vocalist, contralto  
Victor C-18031 12-in. 6/29/1916 Love's old sweet song Louise Homer Contralto vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, contralto  
Victor B-18032 10-in. 6/29/1916 Janet's choice Louise Homer Contralto vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, contralto  
Victor B-18033 10-in. 6/29/1916 Sheep and lambs Louise Homer Contralto vocal solo, with harp vocalist, contralto  
Victor B-18034 10-in. 6/29/1916 Flee as a bird Louise Homer Contralto vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, contralto  
Victor B-18035 10-in. 6/29/1916 Don't ceare Louise Homer Contralto vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, contralto  
Victor B-18036 10-in. 6/29/1916 Oh, promise me Louise Homer Contralto vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, contralto  
Victor BVE-18036 10-in. 11/23/1925 Oh, promise me! Louise Homer Contralto vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, contralto  
Victor B-18040 10-in. 6/30/1916 Nur wer die Sehnsucht kennt Louise Homer Contralto vocal solo, with cello and orchestra vocalist, contralto  
Victor C-18041 12-in. 6/30/1916 He was despised Louise Homer Contralto vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, contralto  
Victor C-18042 12-in. 6/30/1916 My heart ever faithful Louise Homer Contralto vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, contralto  
Victor B-18043 10-in. 6/30/1916 Where is my boy to-night Louise Homer Contralto vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, contralto  
Victor B-18044 10-in. 6/30/1916 How's my boy Louise Homer Contralto vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, contralto  
Victor B-18045 10-in. 6/30/1916 Bendemeer's stream Louise Homer Contralto vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, contralto  
Victor B-18395 10-in. 9/25/1916 Passage-birds' farewell Alma Gluck ; Louise Homer Vocal duet (soprano and contralto), with orchestra vocalist, contralto  
Victor B-18396 10-in. 9/25/1916 Long, long ago Alma Gluck ; Louise Homer Vocal duet (soprano and contralto), with orchestra vocalist, contralto  
Victor B-18397 10-in. 9/25/1916 The red sarafan Alma Gluck ; Louise Homer Vocal duet (soprano and contralto), with orchestra vocalist, contralto  
Victor C-18398 12-in. 9/25/1916 Juanita Alma Gluck ; Louise Homer Vocal duet (soprano and contralto), with orchestra vocalist, contralto  
Victor B-18398 10-in. 9/25/1916 Juanita Alma Gluck ; Louise Homer Vocal duet (soprano and contralto), with orchestra vocalist, contralto  
Victor C-18399 12-in. 9/25/1916 Crucifix Alma Gluck ; Louise Homer Vocal duet (soprano and contralto), with orchestra vocalist, contralto  
Victor C-19395 12-in. 3/21/1917 Largo Louise Homer Contralto vocal solo, with harp and orchestra vocalist, contralto  
Victor B-19396 10-in. 3/21/1917 Calm as the night Louise Homer Contralto vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, contralto  
Victor CVE-19396 12-in. 5/31/1927 Calm as the night Louise Homer Contralto vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, contralto  
(Results 101-125 of 193 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Homer, Louise," accessed April 18, 2024, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/101986.

Homer, Louise. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved April 18, 2024, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/101986.

"Homer, Louise." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 18 April 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

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

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