Ruby Mercer
Encyclopedia
Ruby Mercer, CM
(b. Athens OH
, 26 July 1906, d. Toronto ON
, 26 January 1999) was a writer, broadcaster, soprano and entrepreneur.
Mercer founded Opera Canada
, a periodical for which she served as editor from 1960 to 1990. She also founded the Canadian Children's Opera Chorus
, and served as its first president. She was host of CBC Radio
's weekly show Opera Time from 1962 to 1979, as well as its successor Opera In Stereo from 1979 to 1984.
She became a member of the Order of Canada
in 1995.
Order of Canada
The Order of Canada is a Canadian national order, admission into which is, within the system of orders, decorations, and medals of Canada, the second highest honour for merit...
(b. Athens OH
Athens, Ohio
Athens is the largest city in, and the county seat of, Athens County, Ohio, United States. It is located along the Hocking River in the southeastern part of Ohio. A historic college town, Athens is home to Ohio University and is the principal city of the Athens, Ohio Micropolitan Statistical Area. ...
, 26 July 1906, d. Toronto ON
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
, 26 January 1999) was a writer, broadcaster, soprano and entrepreneur.
Mercer founded Opera Canada
Opera Canada
- Citations :-External links:****...
, a periodical for which she served as editor from 1960 to 1990. She also founded the Canadian Children's Opera Chorus
Canadian Children's Opera Chorus
The Canadian Children's Opera Company was founded in 1968 by Ruby Mercer and Lloyd Bradshaw. The Chorus consists of five divisions of approximately 240 boys and girls aged 6 to 19. The Principal Chorus has over 80 choristers, and they participate as the children's chorus in productions by the...
, and served as its first president. She was host of CBC Radio
CBC Radio
CBC Radio generally refers to the English-language radio operations of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. The CBC operates a number of radio networks serving different audiences and programming niches, all of which are outlined below.-English:CBC Radio operates three English language...
's weekly show Opera Time from 1962 to 1979, as well as its successor Opera In Stereo from 1979 to 1984.
She became a member of the Order of Canada
Order of Canada
The Order of Canada is a Canadian national order, admission into which is, within the system of orders, decorations, and medals of Canada, the second highest honour for merit...
in 1995.
Awards and honours
- BA (Ohio) 1927, B MUS (Cincinnati) 1930, honorary D MUS (Ohio) 1978, honorary LLD (U of T) 1995.
- Canadian Music Council medal (1983)
- Toronto Arts lifetime achievement award (1988)
- Order of CanadaOrder of CanadaThe Order of Canada is a Canadian national order, admission into which is, within the system of orders, decorations, and medals of Canada, the second highest honour for merit...
(1995)
Writing
- The Tenor of His Time (Toronto, 1976), a biography of Edward Johnson
- The Quilicos - Louis, Gino and Lina (Oakville, Ontario, 1990)
- Articles to EMC, Musical AmericaMusical AmericaMusical America is the oldest American magazine on classical music. Presently it is a website with a weekly online magazine. It is currently published by UBM Global Trade.-History:...
, and Opera NewsOpera NewsOpera News is an American classical music magazine. It has been published since 1936 by the Metropolitan Opera Guild, a non-profit organization located at Lincoln Center which was founded to support the Metropolitan Opera of New York City... - Columns and reviews for Opera CanadaOpera Canada- Citations :-External links:****...