Homer, Louise, 1871-1947

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American opera star.

From the description of Louise Homer letter to Mrs. Will Owen Jones [manuscript], 1906 November 20. (University of Virginia). WorldCat record id: 708253781

Louise Homer (née Louise Dilworth Beatty), American contralto, was born in Shadyside, Pennsylvania, on April 28, 1871. She studied in Philadelphia and later Boston, where she met her future husband, the composer Sidney Homer. They were married in 1895. Together they went to France where she studied voice with Fidèle Koenig, and drama with Paul Lhérie.

Homer made her operatic debut in 1898 as Leonora in La Favorita at Vichy. The following year she was engaged at the Théâtre de la Monnaie in Brussels, and soon after was engaged by Covent Garden. She made her Metropolitan Opera debut as Amneris in Aïda on November 14, 1900, while the company was on tour in San Francisco. Her house debut in the same role was on December 22, 1900. With one exception (1914-15) she appeared regularly with the company until 1919. From 1920-25 she appeared with the Chicago Opera Company, and in 1926 appeared with the San Francisco and Los Angeles opera companies. She returned to the Metropolitan Opera in 1927, and gave her final staged performance there on November 28, 1929.

Moving to Florida, Homer gave recitals for a while and taught singing for several years. In 1939, Sidney Homer published an autobiographical account of their lives, My Wife and I .

Louise Homer died at Winter Park, Florida, on May 6, 1947. In 1973, one of her daughters, Anne Homer, published a biography, Louise Homer and the Golden Age of Opera .

From the guide to the Louise Homer collection of vocal scores, 1849-1911, (The New York Public Library. Music Division.)

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
referencedIn Fryer, Katharine Homer, 1907-. Louise Homer collection, 1845-1999 (bulk 1898-1947). New York Public Library System, NYPL
referencedIn The Max Smith Papers, 1879-1933 (inclusive) Irving S. Gilmore Music Library
creatorOf Abott, Bessie, 1878-1919,. Autograph album of Hartman Hotel, 1903-1918. Huntington Library, Art Collections & Botanical Gardens
referencedIn Ohio and New York theatre and music programs. ca. 1896-1909. Ohio State University Libraries
referencedIn Clark, Charles Henry, 1836-1906. Charles Henry Clark and family papers, 1827-1964. Minnesota Historical Society Library
referencedIn The Horatio Parker Papers, 1863-1972 (inclusive) Irving S. Gilmore Music Library
creatorOf Louise Homer collection of vocal scores, 1849-1911 The New York Public Library. Music Division.
referencedIn Parker, Horatio W. (Horatio William), 1863-1919. The Horatio Parker papers, 1863-1972 (inclusive). Yale University, Music Library
referencedIn McDermott Record collection, McDermott Record Collection, 1900-1940 Phillips Memorial Library, Special and Archival Collections
referencedIn Rockwell, Julia Ludlow. [Selected compositions of Julia Ludlow Rockwell]. Yale University, Music Library
referencedIn Rockwell, Julia Ludlow. [Selected compositions of Julia Ludlow Rockwell]. Yale University, Music Library
creatorOf Homer, Louise, 1871-1947. Louise Homer letter to Mrs. Will Owen Jones [manuscript], 1906 November 20. University of Virginia. Library
referencedIn Sage Colleges Archives. Honorary degree recipient for 1932, Louise Homer. The Sage Colleges Libraries
referencedIn Robert Benney research materials, 1926-1978 The New York Public Library. Billy Rose Theatre Division.
referencedIn McDermott, Edward J. [Guide to the McDermott Record collection 1900-1940.] Providence College, Phillips Memorial Library, Phillips Memorial Library
referencedIn Louise Homer collection, 1845-1999, 1898-1947 The New York Public Library. Music Division.
referencedIn Parker, Horatio W. (Horatio William), 1863-1919. The Horatio Parker papers, 1863-1972 (inclusive). Yale University, Music Library
referencedIn Smith, Max, 1874-1935. The Max Smith papers, 1879-1933 (inclusive). Yale University, Music Library
referencedIn Frohman, Daniel, 1851-1940,. Autograph letters signed to Daniel Frohman from various correspondents [manuscript], 1883-1926. Folger Shakespeare Library
referencedIn Selected Compositions of Julia Ludlow Rockwell, approximately 1875-1943 Irving S. Gilmore Music Library
referencedIn Kurt Schindler papers, 1882-1946 The New York Public Library. Music Division.
referencedIn Merrill, Barzille Winfred, 1864-1954. Autograph note signed B. Winfred Merrill to: "My Dear Mr. Fullerton" August 22, 1925. Wellesley College
referencedIn Smith, Max, 1874-1935. The Max Smith papers, 1879-1933 (inclusive). Yale University, Music Library
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
associatedWith American Music Collection corporateBody
associatedWith Benney, Robert, 1904-2001 person
associatedWith Clark, Charles Henry, 1836-1906. person
correspondedWith Frohman, Daniel, 1851-1940, person
associatedWith Fryer, Katharine Homer, 1907- person
associatedWith Jones, Edith Doolittle, person
associatedWith Max Smith person
associatedWith McDermott, Edward J. person
associatedWith McDermott, Edward J. person
associatedWith Merrill, Barzille Winfred, 1864-1954. person
associatedWith Parker, Horatio W. (Horatio William), 1863-1919. person
associatedWith Rockwell, Julia Ludlow person
associatedWith Rockwell, Julia Ludlow. person
associatedWith Schindler, Kurt, 1882-1935 person
associatedWith Sembrich, Marcella, 1858-1935. person
associatedWith Smith, Max, 1874-1935. person
Place Name Admin Code Country
Subject
Operas
Occupation
Activity

Person

Birth 1871-04-30

Death 1947-05-06

Americans

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