Merle Alcock

Merle Alcock (February 6, 1884 - March 1, 1975) was an American contralto who sang with the Metropolitan Opera in 236 performances from 1919 to 1929, officially signing in with them in 1924.

Alcock's concert debut was in London in 1914. She also sang with the Boston and New York Symphony Orchestras. She found a patron in Mrs. Charles Schwab in 1916. Mrs. Schwab was herself a singer as a young woman. Alcock first sang at the Met in a performance of Verdi’s Requiem Mass on Dec. 14, 1919. Her opera debut was on Nov. 15, 1923, when she sang the role of the fiddler Beppe in L’amico Fritz. Alcock trained other singers in her retirement such as Eileen Farrell.

Alcock was born Merle Tillotson in Andover, Missouri, to Zula and the Reverend Elijah Tillotson. She graduated from Drake University’s Conservatory of Music in 1906. She married Bechtel Alcock, a tenor, in 1914. The two would often perform together. She died on March 1, 1975, and is buried in Wooster Cemetery in Wooster, Ohio.

Birth and Death Data: Born 1890 (Andover, Missouri), Died January 3, 1975 (Phoenix)

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1909 - 1928

Roles Represented in DAHR: contralto

Notes: Born Merle Tillotson; wife of tenor Bechtel Alcock. Victor ledgers give her address as 42 West 12th Street, New York City.

= 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 B-22696 10-in. 4/22/1919 Gentle Annie Merle Alcock Female vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, contralto  
Victor B-22697 10-in. 4/22/1919 'Tis all that I can say Merle Alcock Female vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, contralto  
Victor B-22698 10-in. 4/22/1919 Suo-gan Merle Alcock Female vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, contralto  
Victor B-22699 10-in. 4/22/1919 The meeting of the waters Merle Alcock Female vocal solo, with harp and orchestra vocalist, contralto  
Victor B-22800 10-in. 4/23/1919 Goodbye, sweet day Merle Alcock Female vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, contralto  
Victor B-24180 10-in. 6/23/1920 Sad at heart Merle Alcock Female vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, contralto  
Victor B-24355 10-in. 7/26/1920 I cannot sing the old songs Merle Alcock Female vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, contralto  
Victor B-24624 10-in. 10/14/1920 I have a dream Merle Alcock Female vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, contralto  
Victor B-25200 10-in. 4/12/1921 Caresses Merle Alcock Female vocal solo, with xylophone and orchestra vocalist, contralto  
Victor B-25201 10-in. 4/12/1921 Monastery bells Merle Alcock Female vocal solo, with bells, celeste, chimes, and orchestra vocalist, contralto  
Victor B-25513 10-in. 8/15/1921 The old road Merle Alcock Female vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, contralto  
Victor B-25514 10-in. 8/15/1921 Ship o' dreams Merle Alcock Female vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, contralto  
Victor B-25578 10-in. 9/27/1921 The Virgin's lullaby Merle Alcock Female vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, contralto  
Victor C-25585 12-in. 10/5/1921 The radiant morn hath passed away Lyric Quartet Mixed vocal quartet, with orchestra vocalist, contralto  
Victor B-25586 10-in. 10/5/1921 Rock of ages Lyric Quartet Mixed vocal quartet, with orchestra vocalist, contralto  
Victor B-25792 10-in. 12/5/1921 Rock-a-bye baby Merle Alcock Female vocal solo, with violin, harp, and orchestra vocalist, contralto  
Victor B-25793 10-in. 12/5/1921 My trundle bed Merle Alcock Female vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, contralto  
Victor B-26459 10-in. 5/9/1922 Violets Merle Alcock Female vocal solo, with violin and orchestra vocalist, contralto  
Victor B-26460 10-in. 5/9/1922 Not a sparrow falleth Merle Alcock Female vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, contralto  
Victor B-27019 10-in. 10/11/1922 My task Merle Alcock Female vocal solo, with celeste and orchestra vocalist, contralto  
Victor B-27020 10-in. 10/11/1922 The little sandman Merle Alcock Female vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, contralto  
Victor B-27098 10-in. 12/4/1922 Grass and roses Merle Alcock Female vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, contralto  
Victor B-27378 10-in. 1/8/1923 Sweet spirit, hear my prayer Merle Alcock Female vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, contralto  
Victor B-27752 10-in. 4/12/1923 Hold thou my hand Merle Alcock Female vocal solo, with violin and orchestra vocalist, contralto  
Victor B-28128 10-in. 6/18/1923 We'd better bide a wee Merle Alcock Contralto vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, contralto  
Victor B-30237 10-in. 6/2/1924 I'm wearin' awa', Jean Merle Alcock Contralto vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, contralto  
Victor CVE-41651 12-in. 1/26/1928 Chanson bohême (Les tringles de sistres) Maria Jeritza Soprano vocal solo, with contralto vocal solo and orchestra vocalist, contralto  
Victor [Trial 1916-03-13-07] Not documented 3/13/1916 Turn ye to me Merle Alcock Female vocal solo, with piano vocalist, contralto  
Victor [Trial 1916-06-12-04] Not documented 6/12/1916 Oh, that we two were maying Bechtel Alcock ; Merle Alcock Female-male vocal duet, with piano vocalist, contralto  
Victor [Trial 1916-06-12-05] Not documented 6/12/1916 O dry those tears Merle Alcock Female vocal solo, with piano vocalist, contralto  
Victor [Trial 1918-06-26-02] Not documented 6/26/1918 His lullaby Merle Alcock Female vocal solo, with piano vocalist, contralto  
Columbia 4213 10-in. approximately 1909 Bonnie sweet Bessie Merle Tillotson Female vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, contralto  
Columbia 4214 10-in. approximately 1909 Sweet Genevieve Merle Tillotson Female vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, contralto  
Columbia 4314 10-in. ca. 1909-Feb. 1910 The rosary Merle Alcock Female vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, contralto  
Columbia 4326 10-in. ca. Jan.-Apr. 1910 Song of the soul Merle Alcock Female vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, contralto  
Columbia 4341 10-in. ca. Jan.-Aug. 1910 That sweet story of old Merle Alcock Female vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, contralto  
Columbia 4364 10-in. ca. Jan.-Apr. 1910 Last night Merle Alcock Contralto vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, contralto  
Columbia 4421 10-in. between January and June 1910 Looking this way Merle Alcock ; John Young Female-male vocal duet, with orchestra vocalist, contralto  
Columbia 4553 10-in. ca. Jan.-Sept. 1910 Good bye sweet day Merle Alcock Female vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, contralto  
Columbia 4773 10-in. ca. Jan.-Oct. 1910 Daddy Merle Tillotson Female vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, contralto  
Columbia 19105 10-in. 11/11/1910 Katisha's song Merle Alcock Female vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, contralto  
Columbia 81492 10-in. 1/18/1924 Oh baby (Don't say no, say maybe) Elsie White Female vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, contralto  
Columbia 81493 10-in. 1/18/1924 A man never knows when a woman's gonna change her mind Elsie White Female vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, contralto  
Columbia 30366 12-in. between January and July 1910 Ai nostri monti Merle Tillotson ; John Young Vocal duet (contralto and tenor), with orchestra vocalist, contralto  
Columbia 30384 12-in. ca. Jan.-May 1910 Meet me where the lanterns glow Henry Burr ; Merle Tillotson Female-male vocal duet, with orchestra vocalist, contralto  
Columbia 30578 12-in. ca. 1910-Feb. 1911 'Neath the southern moon Merle Tillotson Female vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, contralto  
Edison 2965 10-in. Apr. 1914 I'm wearing awa' Merle Tillotson Female vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, contralto  
Edison 2986 10-in. Apr.-May 1914 Auld Robin Gray Merle Tillotson Female vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, contralto  
Edison 2998 10-in. May 1931 Bes' ob all Merle Tillotson Female vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, contralto  
Edison 3027 10-in. May 1914 Blow, blow, thou winter wind Merle Alcock Female vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, contralto  
Edison 3046 10-in. May 1914 Sing, smile, slumber Merle Alcock ; Mary Carson ; Elizabeth Spencer Female vocal trio, with orchestra vocalist, contralto  
Edison 3055 10-in. May 1914 Come to me Merle Alcock Female vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, contralto  
Edison 3057 10-in. May 1914 or later Abide with me Merle Alcock Female vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, contralto  
Edison 3063 10-in. May-June 1914 Angel's serenade Merle Alcock ; Clementine de Vere Vocal duet (soprano and contralto), with orchestra vocalist, contralto  
Edison 3064 10-in. May-June 1914 Little Daisy's evening prayer Merle Alcock Contralto vocal solo and vocal ensemble, with orchestra vocalist, contralto  
Edison 3242 10-in. between 8/22/1914 and 8/31/1914 A summer night Merle Tillotson Female vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, contralto  
Edison 3816 10-in. 5/24/1915 Little Daisy's evening prayer Merle Alcock Contralto vocal solo and vocal ensemble, with orchestra vocalist, contralto  
Edison 4140 10-in. 9/23/1915 O sing to God Anita Rio ; Merle Tillotson Female vocal duet and mixed vocal ensemble, with orchestra vocalist, contralto  
Edison 4361 10-in. 12/22/1915 I love to tell the story Metropolitan Quartet Mixed vocal quartet, with orchestra vocalist, contralto  
Edison 4371 10-in. 12/28/1915 I will sing of my Redeemer Metropolitan Quartet Mixed vocal quartet, with orchestra vocalist, contralto  
Edison 4407 10-in. 1/10/1916 Songs we used to sing in Dixie land Merle Alcock Contralto vocal solo and vocal ensemble, with orchestra vocalist, contralto  
Edison 4537 10-in. 2/28/1916 Bela figlia del'amore Vocal Quartette [Edison] Vocal quartet (soprano, contralto, tenor, and baritone), with orchestra vocalist, contralto  
Edison 4549 10-in. 3/2/1916 Wake up, America! Arthur Fields Male vocal solo and mixed vocal quartet, with orchestra vocalist, contralto  
Edison 4555 10-in. 3/3/1916 When it's orange blossom time in Loveland George Wilton Ballard Male vocal solo and mixed vocal quartet, with orchestra vocalist, contralto  
Edison 4561 10-in. 3/7/1916 Ora pro nobis Frederick J. Wheeler Male vocal solo and mixed vocal quartet, with orchestra vocalist, contralto  
Edison 4584 10-in. 3/15/1916 Sing me to sleep Merle Alcock Contralto vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, contralto  
Edison 4598 10-in. 3/21/1916 Down where the Swanee River flows George Wilton Ballard Male vocal solo and mixed vocal trio, with orchestra vocalist, contralto  
Edison 4642 10-in. 4/7/1916 [Unknown titles(s)] Merle Alcock ; Donald Chalmers ; Wallace ; John Young Mixed vocal quartet vocalist, contralto  
Edison 4643 10-in. 4/7/1916 [Unknown title(s)] Merle Alcock ; Donald Chalmers ; Wallace ; John Young Mixed vocal quartet vocalist, contralto  
Edison 4649 10-in. 4/11/1916 Turn ye to me Merle Alcock Female vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, contralto  
Edison 4708 10-in. 5/5/1916 Time's garden Merle Alcock Contralto vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, contralto  
Edison 4716 10-in. 5/10/1916 An Irish folk song Merle Alcock Female vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, contralto  
Edison 4718 10-in. 5/10/1916 His lullaby Merle Alcock Contralto vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, contralto  
Edison 4740 10-in. 5/23/1916 Asthore Merle Alcock Contralto vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, contralto  
Edison 4755 10-in. 5/31/1916 Two roses Merle Alcock Female vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, contralto  
Edison 4758 10-in. 6/1/1916 My old Kentucky home Thomas Chalmers Male vocal solo and mixed vocal ensemble, with orchestra vocalist, contralto  
Edison 4765 10-in. 6/5/1916 I'm a-longin' fo' you Merle Alcock Contralto vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, contralto  
Edison 5629 10-in. 6/18/1917 Bella figlia dell' amore Merle Alcock ; Guido Ciccolini ; Arthur Middleton ; Alice Verlet Mixed vocal quartet (soprano, contralto, tenor, and bass), with orchestra vocalist, contralto  
Edison 5770 10-in. 9/7/1917 My ain folk Merle Alcock Contralto vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, contralto  
Edison 5774 10-in. 9/10/1917 Let me dream again Merle Alcock Female vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, contralto  
Edison 5787 10-in. 9/14/1917 Sextet : Chi mi frena Merle Alcock ; Enrico Baroni ; Guido Ciccolini ; Arthur Middleton ; Henri Scott ; Alice Verlet Vocal sextet (soprano, contralto, tenor, baritone, and 2 basses), with orchestra vocalist, contralto  
Edison 5839 10-in. 10/8/1917 The fields o' Ballyclare Merle Alcock Contralto vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, contralto  
Edison 6466 10-in. between 11/12/1918 and 11/27/1918 Voce di donna Merle Alcock Contralto vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, contralto  
Edison 6475 10-in. between 11/12/1918 and 11/27/1918 Danny boy Merle Alcock Contralto vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, contralto  
Edison 6489 10-in. between 12/2/1918 and 12/11/1918 Largo Merle Alcock Contralto vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, contralto  
Zonophone [Zo cat 5737-A] 10-in. Before May 1911 Dear delightful women Merle Alcock ; Henry Burr Female-male vocal duet, with orchestra vocalist, contralto  
Zonophone [Zo cat 5753-B] 10-in. Before July 1911 Irish lullabye Merle Tillotson Female vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, contralto  

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Alcock, Merle," accessed April 24, 2024, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/113828.

Alcock, Merle. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved April 24, 2024, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/113828.

"Alcock, Merle." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 24 April 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/113828

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