Emma Marcy Raymond
Encyclopedia
Emma P. Marcy Raymond was an American composer of operetta, songs and piano music.
She was born in March 1856 (some sources saying the 6th and others the 16th), the oldest daughter of Dr. Erastus Egerton Marcy (1815–1900) and Emeline Marcy of New York. Her father was a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and later a homeopathic specialist, who apparently lived for many years on Fifth Avenue on the site opposite Tiffany's. In 1850 he published a book called The Homeopathic Theory and Practice of Medicine.
Her uncle was General Randolph D. Marcy, an 1832 graduate of West Point, and her obituary in The New York Times (8 November 1913) says she was a cousin to Mrs George B. McClennan, presumably Ellen Mary Marcy (1836–1915), the wife of General George Brinton McClellan (1826–1885), the father of the New York mayor of the same name (1865–1940).
She became the second wife of the Union soldier Alexander J. Pentecost (born 1835) in Allegheny, PA, in 1874, and bore him three sons - Howard M. Pentecost, Dorsey D. Pentecost, Frank Pierpont Pentecost; and five daughters - Nellie S., Adelia R., Bessie B., May B., and Emma D.
Later she married a Captain Raymond, and lived in an apartment in the Ansonia, 2109 Broadway between 73rd and 74th Streets in New York.
(1829–1869) and singing with Giorgio Ronconi
(1810–1890), and soon became known for her musical talent being credited as being one of the first American women to compose an operetta: in 1889 she composed the successful Doretta. Her obituary in The New York Times reported that she produced another in Chicago called The Sheik. Her songs and piano pieces were published in France and Germany as well as in the United States. Amongst her songs were 'O Salutaris', 'Bird of Love', 'First Love', and an Ave Maria.
She was a patron of the Metropolitan Opera House and numbered many singers and prima donnas amongst her friends. During the winter of 1896–1897, she commissioned the Swiss-born American artist Adolfo Müller-Ury
(1862–1947) to paint a portrait of the bass-baritone Pol Plançon
for her, which was subsequently exhibited in March 1897 at the Durand-Ruel Galleries in New York. It is now untraced.
After her death on 7 November 1913 she left a bequest of $300,000 to a homeopatic hospital, her family apparently later challenging the probate on her estate in the courts.
She was born in March 1856 (some sources saying the 6th and others the 16th), the oldest daughter of Dr. Erastus Egerton Marcy (1815–1900) and Emeline Marcy of New York. Her father was a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and later a homeopathic specialist, who apparently lived for many years on Fifth Avenue on the site opposite Tiffany's. In 1850 he published a book called The Homeopathic Theory and Practice of Medicine.
Her uncle was General Randolph D. Marcy, an 1832 graduate of West Point, and her obituary in The New York Times (8 November 1913) says she was a cousin to Mrs George B. McClennan, presumably Ellen Mary Marcy (1836–1915), the wife of General George Brinton McClellan (1826–1885), the father of the New York mayor of the same name (1865–1940).
She became the second wife of the Union soldier Alexander J. Pentecost (born 1835) in Allegheny, PA, in 1874, and bore him three sons - Howard M. Pentecost, Dorsey D. Pentecost, Frank Pierpont Pentecost; and five daughters - Nellie S., Adelia R., Bessie B., May B., and Emma D.
Later she married a Captain Raymond, and lived in an apartment in the Ansonia, 2109 Broadway between 73rd and 74th Streets in New York.
Life as a Composer
She studied piano with Louis Moreau GottschalkLouis Moreau Gottschalk
Louis Moreau Gottschalk was an American composer and pianist, best known as a virtuoso performer of his own romantic piano works...
(1829–1869) and singing with Giorgio Ronconi
Giorgio Ronconi
Giorgio Ronconi was an Italian operatic baritone celebrated for his brilliant acting and compelling stage presence. In 1842, he created the title-role in Giuseppe Verdi's Nabucco at La Scala, Milan.-Career:...
(1810–1890), and soon became known for her musical talent being credited as being one of the first American women to compose an operetta: in 1889 she composed the successful Doretta. Her obituary in The New York Times reported that she produced another in Chicago called The Sheik. Her songs and piano pieces were published in France and Germany as well as in the United States. Amongst her songs were 'O Salutaris', 'Bird of Love', 'First Love', and an Ave Maria.
She was a patron of the Metropolitan Opera House and numbered many singers and prima donnas amongst her friends. During the winter of 1896–1897, she commissioned the Swiss-born American artist Adolfo Müller-Ury
Adolfo Müller-Ury
Adolfo Muller-Ury was a Swiss-born American portrait painter and impressionistic painter of roses and still life.-Heritage and early life in Switzerland:...
(1862–1947) to paint a portrait of the bass-baritone Pol Plançon
Pol Plançon
Pol-Henri Plançon was a distinguished French operatic bass . He was one of the most acclaimed singers active during the 1880s, 1890s and early 20th century—a period often referred to as the "Golden Age of Opera".In addition to being among the earliest international opera stars to have made...
for her, which was subsequently exhibited in March 1897 at the Durand-Ruel Galleries in New York. It is now untraced.
After her death on 7 November 1913 she left a bequest of $300,000 to a homeopatic hospital, her family apparently later challenging the probate on her estate in the courts.