Louise Homer

Contralto Louise Homer enjoyed a long career singing many of the grandest roles in the Italian, French and, later, German repertories. Her somewhat placid temperament was offset by a large, nearly flawless instrument that stood up well in ensemble to such contemporary artists as Caruso and Gigli. She was a key singer at the Metropolitan Opera from 1900 to 1919. Married to the well-known American composer, Sidney Homer, she sang a number of his songs in recital and found the time to be the devoted mother of six children. Born Louise Dilworth Beatty, the singer was the daughter...