Image Source: Wikipedia

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 151-175 of 193 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Victor B-26436 10-in. 4/27/1922 Worship of God in nature Louise Homer Contralto vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, contralto  
Victor B-27766 10-in. 4/20/1923 Summer night Louise Homer ; Louise Homer Stires Vocal duet (soprano and contralto), with orchestra vocalist, contralto  
Victor B-27767 10-in. 4/20/1923 The gypsies Louise Homer ; Louise Homer Stires Vocal duet (soprano and contralto), with orchestra vocalist, contralto  
Victor C-27965 12-in. 5/21/1923 Calvary Louise Homer Contralto vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, contralto  
Victor B-27966 10-in. 5/21/1923 Ring out, wild bells Louise Homer Contralto vocal solo, with chimes and orchestra vocalist, contralto  
Victor B-27967 10-in. 5/21/1923 Mignon : Gavotte Louise Homer Contralto vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, contralto  
Victor B-28009 10-in. 5/16/1923 Sheep and lambs, op. 31 Louise Homer Contralto vocal solo, with piano vocalist, contralto  
Victor B-30016 10-in. 4/24/1924 America the beautiful Louise Homer Contralto vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, contralto  
Victor B-30017 10-in. 4/24/1924 Connais-tu le pays? Louise Homer Contralto vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, contralto  
Victor B-30018 10-in. 4/24/1924 Battle hymn of the republic Louise Homer Contralto vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, contralto  
Victor B-30019 10-in. 4/25/1924 Little orphant Annie Louise Homer Contralto vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, contralto  
Victor B-30020 10-in. 4/25/1924 The barnyard song Louise Homer Contralto vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, contralto  
Victor B-30937 10-in. 9/25/1924 If I but knew Louise Homer Contralto vocal solo, with violin and orchestra vocalist, contralto  
Victor B-30938 10-in. 9/25/1924 Home song Louise Homer Contralto vocal solo, with harp and orchestra vocalist, contralto  
Victor BVE-33796 10-in. 11/24/1925 My faith looks up to Thee Louise Homer Contralto vocal solo, with pipe organ vocalist, contralto  
Victor BVE-33934 10-in. 11/24/1925 Just as I am Louise Homer Contralto vocal solo, with pipe organ vocalist, contralto  
Victor BVE-33935 10-in. 11/24/1925 Softly and tenderly Jesus is calling Louise Homer Contralto vocal solo, with male vocal quartet and pipe organ vocalist, contralto  
Victor BVE-33936 10-in. 11/24/1925 It is well with my soul Louise Homer Contralto vocal solo, with male vocal quartet and pipe organ vocalist, contralto  
Victor CVE-38062 12-in. 5/31/1927 Serenade Louise Homer Contralto vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, contralto  
Victor BVE-38066 10-in. 6/1/1927 I think when I read that sweet story Louise Homer Contralto vocal solo, with pipe organ vocalist, contralto  
Victor BVE-38067 10-in. 6/1/1927 God be with you Louise Homer Contralto vocal solo, with pipe organ vocalist, contralto  
Victor BVE-38068 10-in. 6/1/1927 Where is my boy to-night? Louise Homer Contralto vocal solo, with male vocal quartet and pipe organ vocalist, contralto  
Victor BVE-38069 10-in. 6/1/1927 I love to tell the story Louise Homer Contralto vocal solo, with male vocal quartet and pipe organ vocalist, contralto  
Victor CVE-41232 12-in. 12/16/1927 Lucia : Sextette Angelo Bada ; Giuseppe De Luca ; Amelita Galli-Curci ; Beniamino Gigli ; Louise Homer ; Ezio Pinza Vocal chorus (soprano, contralto, 2 tenors, baritone, and bass), with orchestra vocalist, contralto  
Victor CVE-41233 12-in. 12/16/1927 Rigoletto : Quartet Giuseppe De Luca ; Amelita Galli-Curci ; Beniamino Gigli ; Louise Homer Vocal quartet (soprano, contralto, tenor, and baritone), with orchestra vocalist, contralto  
(Results 151-175 of 193 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Homer, Louise," accessed May 3, 2024, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/101986.

Homer, Louise. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved May 3, 2024, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/101986.

"Homer, Louise." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 3 May 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

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

Wikipedia content provided under the terms of the Creative Commons BY-SA license

Feedback

Send the Editors a message about this record.