|
|
Pauline Pierce (Mezzo-soprano) |
|
Born: July 26, 1909 - Alton, Illinois, USA (?)
Died: October 3, 1974 - Salamanca, New York, USA (?) |
|
The American mezzo-soprano, Pauline Pierce, studied at MacMurray College, Illinois. She won the Atwater Kent Radio Auditions for the St. Louis District, and subsequently appeared as guest soloist with the St. Louis Philharmonic Orchestra. She received a fellowship to the Juilliard School of Music in New York. At Juilliard she sang the title role in C.W. Gluck's Orpheus (January 1935). She was named a winner in the 1937 Walter W. Naumburg Competition, along with pianists Ida Krehm and Jorge Bolet and cellist Morris Bialkin. The four artists were chosen from a field of 123 applicants in the 13th competition conducted by the foundation.
In 1936, Pauline Pierce sang the role of Frade in Il Dibuk performance at Carnegie Hall. In 1938, she made her New York debut. She became an outstanding member of the New Opera Company in New York (Dorabella in W.A. Mozart's Cosi Fan Tutte, October 1941). Her singing with the New Opera Company in its Broadway appearances in New York City caused Oscar Thompson of the New York Sun to state that "She is one of the three outstanding personalities to be presented by this company." She appeared with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Philadelphia Orchestra, Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra (December 1944) and the Russian Opera Company. Her performancees with those companies met with notable success. For many seasons she was favourite in the summer opera and concerts at famous Chautauqua Lake, New York. She also sang with the Oratorio Society of New York and on major radio networks. In July 1948, she sang J.S. Bach's Johannes-Passion BWV 245 at the Berea Bach Festival; and in 1950-1952 she performed at the Bach Festival of Winter Park. |
|
|
|
Sources:
Bits & pieces from various sources
Contributed by Aryeh Oron (September 2023) |
|
Recordings of Bach Cantatas & Other Vocal Works |
|
Conductor |
As |
Works |
|
Arthur Mendel |
Alto |
[C-2] (1949/1952, CD): BWV 71
[C-3] (1949/1952, CD): BWV 120 |
|
Henry Veld |
Alto |
[V-1] (Early 1950's) BWV 244 [abridged, sung in English] |
|
Links to other Sites |
|
Pauline Pierce Mezzo-Soprano | 1937 (Naumburg Foundation)
Vassar Miscellany News, Volume XXXI, Number 4, 2 October 1946 |
|
|
