Carolyn Long
Encyclopedia
Carolyn Long was an American opera
tic soprano
and concert singer.
She was born as Carolyn Elizabeth Creighton in Cambridge, Maryland
. She studied piano as a child, winning a scholarship to study piano at the Peabody Institute
in Baltimore
in 1932 at the age of 16. Her singing voice soon proved to be a greater gift, however, and she changed to vocal studies two years later. She was said to have made her stage debut in Baltimore while still a student in The Old Maid and the Thief by Gian Carlo Menotti
, but this is unlikely as the work premiered in 1939, around the time Long would have been completing her studies at Peabody.
She then enjoyed an active career in the United States for a number of years, with major opera, concert and radio appearances. She sang with the Oscar Strauss Festival and the Community Concerts Association across the USA. She made at least one recording for a major label, Jeanne d'Arc au Bûcher
, by Arthur Honegger
. This recording, issued in 1953, was made with the Philadelphia Orchestra
conducted by Eugene Ormandy
.
and featured Vera Zorina
in the speaking role of Joan of Arc
. Private recordings from her personal collection exist, but are generally of extremely poor technical quality. They include at least one live recital and at least one radio broadcast from the International Harvester Hour, in which she sings light classical and popular songs with the International Harvester Orchestra and tenor James Melton
. From her operatic appearances one may infer that her voice was a lyrico
-spinto
soprano. The private recordings bear this out, and also show considerable warmth, personality and humor.
She sang with most of the leading symphony orchestras in the United States. Although she did not appear at the Metropolitan Opera
at its home in New York City, she did appear with the Metropolitan Opera National Touring Company in Cincinnati. She also appeared at Carnegie Hall
, the Hollywood Bowl
, and Chicago's Grant Park
. Her appearances included operetta
, including Bloomer Girl
, and television. Her opera appearances included Tosca
(as Tosca),
Faust
(as Marguerite), The Barber of Seville
, Salome
, Aida
, Rigoletto
, Carmen
, La traviata
, La bohème
and Il trovatore
. She appeared with such singers as tenor Mario Lanza
, bass Ezio Pinza
, tenor Nino Martini
, and Japanese soprano Hizi Koyke.
Long sang at the White House for President Harry Truman and his Vice President, Alben Barkley. In 1954 she was chosen by Rose and Ira Gershwin
to be the "Gershwin Girl" for their touring show which also featured the young Lorin Maazel
.
She studied singing in Italy as well, from 1954 to 1956. While in Europe, she appeared in the first English language opera production to occur in Spain since Francisco Franco
's accession to power in the Spanish Civil War
.
, where she lived with her lifelong friend and companion, Carolyn "Bobbie" Drury. She also taught voice at American University
and the Prince George's Community College
, in Maryland. She spent her final years in a nursing home in her home town of Cambridge, Maryland
, where she died. She is buried at Dorchester Memorial Park in Cambridge,Md alongside her friend Carolyn "Bobbie" Drury.
She was married, at Christ Episcopal Church in Cambridge, Maryland on June 27, 1937 (her parents' wedding anniversary) to Hugh-Blair Grigsby Long of Charlottesville, Virginia
. The marriage ended in divorce.
on June 8, 1988.
Opera
Opera is an art form in which singers and musicians perform a dramatic work combining text and musical score, usually in a theatrical setting. Opera incorporates many of the elements of spoken theatre, such as acting, scenery, and costumes and sometimes includes dance...
tic soprano
Soprano
A soprano is a voice type with a vocal range from approximately middle C to "high A" in choral music, or to "soprano C" or higher in operatic music. In four-part chorale style harmony, the soprano takes the highest part, which usually encompasses the melody...
and concert singer.
She was born as Carolyn Elizabeth Creighton in Cambridge, Maryland
Cambridge, Maryland
Cambridge is a city in Dorchester County, Maryland, United States. The population was 12,326 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Dorchester County and the county's largest municipality...
. She studied piano as a child, winning a scholarship to study piano at the Peabody Institute
Peabody Institute
The Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University is a renowned conservatory and preparatory school located in the Mount Vernon neighborhood of Baltimore, Maryland at the corner of Charles and Monument Streets at Mount Vernon Place.-History:...
in Baltimore
Baltimore
Baltimore is the largest independent city in the United States and the largest city and cultural center of the US state of Maryland. The city is located in central Maryland along the tidal portion of the Patapsco River, an arm of the Chesapeake Bay. Baltimore is sometimes referred to as Baltimore...
in 1932 at the age of 16. Her singing voice soon proved to be a greater gift, however, and she changed to vocal studies two years later. She was said to have made her stage debut in Baltimore while still a student in The Old Maid and the Thief by Gian Carlo Menotti
Gian Carlo Menotti
Gian Carlo Menotti was an Italian-American composer and librettist. Although he often referred to himself as an American composer, he kept his Italian citizenship. He wrote the classic Christmas opera, Amahl and the Night Visitors, among about two dozen other operas intended to appeal to popular...
, but this is unlikely as the work premiered in 1939, around the time Long would have been completing her studies at Peabody.
She then enjoyed an active career in the United States for a number of years, with major opera, concert and radio appearances. She sang with the Oscar Strauss Festival and the Community Concerts Association across the USA. She made at least one recording for a major label, Jeanne d'Arc au Bûcher
Jeanne d'Arc au bûcher
Jeanne d'Arc au bûcher is an oratorio by Arthur Honegger, originally commissioned by Ida Rubinstein. The drama takes place during the heroine's trial and execution, with flashbacks to her younger days...
, by Arthur Honegger
Arthur Honegger
Arthur Honegger was a Swiss composer, who was born in France and lived a large part of his life in Paris. He was a member of Les six. His most frequently performed work is probably the orchestral work Pacific 231, which is interpreted as imitating the sound of a steam locomotive.-Biography:Born...
. This recording, issued in 1953, was made with the Philadelphia Orchestra
Philadelphia Orchestra
The Philadelphia Orchestra is a symphony orchestra based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in the United States. One of the "Big Five" American orchestras, it was founded in 1900...
conducted by Eugene Ormandy
Eugene Ormandy
Eugene Ormandy was a Hungarian-born conductor and violinist.-Early life:Born Jenő Blau in Budapest, Hungary, Ormandy began studying violin at the Royal National Hungarian Academy of Music at the age of five...
.
and featured Vera Zorina
Vera Zorina
Vera Zorina was a Norwegian ballerina, musical theatre actress and choreographer.-Background:Vera Zorina was born Eva Brigitta Hartwig in Berlin, Germany. Her father Fritz was a German and her mother Billie Hartwig was Norwegian. Both were professional singers...
in the speaking role of Joan of Arc
Joan of Arc
Saint Joan of Arc, nicknamed "The Maid of Orléans" , is a national heroine of France and a Roman Catholic saint. A peasant girl born in eastern France who claimed divine guidance, she led the French army to several important victories during the Hundred Years' War, which paved the way for the...
. Private recordings from her personal collection exist, but are generally of extremely poor technical quality. They include at least one live recital and at least one radio broadcast from the International Harvester Hour, in which she sings light classical and popular songs with the International Harvester Orchestra and tenor James Melton
James Melton
James Melton , a popular singer in the 1920s and early 1930s, later began a career as an operatic singer when tenor voices went out of style in popular music around 1932-35...
. From her operatic appearances one may infer that her voice was a lyrico
Lyric soprano
A lyric soprano is a type of operatic soprano that has a warm quality with a bright, full timbre which can be heard over an orchestra. The lyric soprano voice generally has a higher tessitura than a soubrette and usually plays ingenues and other sympathetic characters in opera. Lyric sopranos have...
-spinto
Spinto
Spinto is a vocal term used to characterize a soprano or tenor voice of a weight between lyric and dramatic that is capable of handling large musical climaxes in opera at moderate intervals...
soprano. The private recordings bear this out, and also show considerable warmth, personality and humor.
She sang with most of the leading symphony orchestras in the United States. Although she did not appear at the Metropolitan Opera
Metropolitan Opera
The Metropolitan Opera is an opera company, located in New York City. Originally founded in 1880, the company gave its first performance on October 22, 1883. The company is operated by the non-profit Metropolitan Opera Association, with Peter Gelb as general manager...
at its home in New York City, she did appear with the Metropolitan Opera National Touring Company in Cincinnati. She also appeared at Carnegie Hall
Carnegie Hall
Carnegie Hall is a concert venue in Midtown Manhattan in New York City, United States, located at 881 Seventh Avenue, occupying the east stretch of Seventh Avenue between West 56th Street and West 57th Street, two blocks south of Central Park....
, the Hollywood Bowl
Hollywood Bowl
The Hollywood Bowl is a modern amphitheater in the Hollywood area of Los Angeles, California, United States that is used primarily for music performances...
, and Chicago's Grant Park
Grant Park (Chicago)
Grant Park, with between the downtown Chicago Loop and Lake Michigan, offers many different attractions in its large open space. The park is generally flat. It is also crossed by large boulevards and even a bed of sunken railroad tracks...
. Her appearances included operetta
Operetta
Operetta is a genre of light opera, light in terms both of music and subject matter. It is also closely related, in English-language works, to forms of musical theatre.-Origins:...
, including Bloomer Girl
Bloomer Girl
Bloomer Girl was a Broadway musical that premiered on October 4, 1944. Sig Herzig and Fred Saidy wrote the book, Harold Arlen the music, and E.Y. Harburg the lyrics. Agnes de Mille was the choreographer...
, and television. Her opera appearances included Tosca
Tosca
Tosca is an opera in three acts by Giacomo Puccini to an Italian libretto by Luigi Illica and Giuseppe Giacosa. It premiered at the Teatro Costanzi in Rome on 14 January 1900...
(as Tosca),
Faust
Faust (opera)
Faust is a drame lyrique in five acts by Charles Gounod to a French libretto by Jules Barbier and Michel Carré from Carré's play Faust et Marguerite, in turn loosely based on Johann Wolfgang von Goethe's Faust, Part 1...
(as Marguerite), The Barber of Seville
The Barber of Seville
The Barber of Seville, or The Futile Precaution is an opera buffa in two acts by Gioachino Rossini with a libretto by Cesare Sterbini. The libretto was based on Pierre Beaumarchais's comedy Le Barbier de Séville , which was originally an opéra comique, or a mixture of spoken play with music...
, Salome
Salome (opera)
Salome is an opera in one act by Richard Strauss to a German libretto by the composer, based on Hedwig Lachmann’s German translation of the French play Salomé by Oscar Wilde. Strauss dedicated the opera to his friend Sir Edgar Speyer....
, Aida
Aida
Aida sometimes spelled Aïda, is an opera in four acts by Giuseppe Verdi to an Italian libretto by Antonio Ghislanzoni, based on a scenario written by French Egyptologist Auguste Mariette...
, Rigoletto
Rigoletto
Rigoletto is an opera in three acts by Giuseppe Verdi. The Italian libretto was written by Francesco Maria Piave based on the play Le roi s'amuse by Victor Hugo. It was first performed at La Fenice in Venice on March 11, 1851...
, Carmen
Carmen
Carmen is a French opéra comique by Georges Bizet. The libretto is by Henri Meilhac and Ludovic Halévy, based on the novella of the same title by Prosper Mérimée, first published in 1845, itself possibly influenced by the narrative poem The Gypsies by Alexander Pushkin...
, La traviata
La traviata
La traviata is an opera in three acts by Giuseppe Verdi set to an Italian libretto by Francesco Maria Piave. It is based on La dame aux Camélias , a play adapted from the novel by Alexandre Dumas, fils. The title La traviata means literally The Fallen Woman, or perhaps more figuratively, The Woman...
, La bohème
La bohème
La bohème is an opera in four acts,Puccini called the divisions quadro, a tableau or "image", rather than atto . by Giacomo Puccini to an Italian libretto by Luigi Illica and Giuseppe Giacosa, based on Scènes de la vie de bohème by Henri Murger...
and Il trovatore
Il trovatore
Il trovatore is an opera in four acts by Giuseppe Verdi to an Italian libretto by Salvadore Cammarano, based on the play El Trovador by Antonio García Gutiérrez. Cammarano died in mid-1852 before completing the libretto...
. She appeared with such singers as tenor Mario Lanza
Mario Lanza
right|thumb|[[MGM]] still, circa 1949Mario Lanza was an American tenor and Hollywood movie star of the late 1940s and the 1950s. The son of Italian emigrants, he began studying to be a professional singer at the age of 16....
, bass Ezio Pinza
Ezio Pinza
Ezio Pinza was an Italian basso opera singer with a rich, smooth and sonorous voice. He spent 22 seasons at New York's Metropolitan Opera, appearing in more than 750 performances of 50 operas...
, tenor Nino Martini
Nino Martini
Nino Martini was an Italian operatic tenor and actor. He began his career as an opera singer in Italy before moving to the United States to pursue an acting career in films...
, and Japanese soprano Hizi Koyke.
Long sang at the White House for President Harry Truman and his Vice President, Alben Barkley. In 1954 she was chosen by Rose and Ira Gershwin
Ira Gershwin
Ira Gershwin was an American lyricist who collaborated with his younger brother, composer George Gershwin, to create some of the most memorable songs of the 20th century....
to be the "Gershwin Girl" for their touring show which also featured the young Lorin Maazel
Lorin Maazel
Lorin Varencove Maazel is an American conductor, violinist and composer.- Early life :Maazel was born to Jewish-American parents in Neuilly-sur-Seine in France and brought up in the United States, primarily at his parents' home in Pittsburgh's Oakland neighborhood. His father, Lincoln Maazel , was...
.
She studied singing in Italy as well, from 1954 to 1956. While in Europe, she appeared in the first English language opera production to occur in Spain since Francisco Franco
Francisco Franco
Francisco Franco y Bahamonde was a Spanish general, dictator and head of state of Spain from October 1936 , and de facto regent of the nominally restored Kingdom of Spain from 1947 until his death in November, 1975...
's accession to power in the Spanish Civil War
Spanish Civil War
The Spanish Civil WarAlso known as The Crusade among Nationalists, the Fourth Carlist War among Carlists, and The Rebellion or Uprising among Republicans. was a major conflict fought in Spain from 17 July 1936 to 1 April 1939...
.
Later years
Health and personal problems may have contributed to a relatively early end to her career. Her later years were spent as a private voice teacher in Bethesda, MarylandBethesda, Maryland
Bethesda is a census designated place in southern Montgomery County, Maryland, United States, just northwest of Washington, D.C. It takes its name from a local church, the Bethesda Meeting House , which in turn took its name from Jerusalem's Pool of Bethesda...
, where she lived with her lifelong friend and companion, Carolyn "Bobbie" Drury. She also taught voice at American University
American University
American University is a private, Methodist, liberal arts, and research university in Washington, D.C. The university was chartered by an Act of Congress on December 5, 1892 as "The American University", which was approved by President Benjamin Harrison on February 24, 1893...
and the Prince George's Community College
Prince George's Community College
Prince George's Community College is a community college located in the unincorporated community of Largo in Prince George's County, Maryland, United States...
, in Maryland. She spent her final years in a nursing home in her home town of Cambridge, Maryland
Cambridge, Maryland
Cambridge is a city in Dorchester County, Maryland, United States. The population was 12,326 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Dorchester County and the county's largest municipality...
, where she died. She is buried at Dorchester Memorial Park in Cambridge,Md alongside her friend Carolyn "Bobbie" Drury.
She was married, at Christ Episcopal Church in Cambridge, Maryland on June 27, 1937 (her parents' wedding anniversary) to Hugh-Blair Grigsby Long of Charlottesville, Virginia
Charlottesville, Virginia
Charlottesville is an independent city geographically surrounded by but separate from Albemarle County in the Commonwealth of Virginia, United States, and named after Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, the queen consort of King George III of the United Kingdom.The official population estimate for...
. The marriage ended in divorce.
Awards
She received the Director's Recognition Award from the Peabody InstitutePeabody Institute
The Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University is a renowned conservatory and preparatory school located in the Mount Vernon neighborhood of Baltimore, Maryland at the corner of Charles and Monument Streets at Mount Vernon Place.-History:...
on June 8, 1988.