Anna Hamlin
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
September 10, 1898
Anna Hamlin | |
|---|---|
 Anna Hamlin in costume, from a 1927 publication | |
| Born | Anna Mary Hamlin September 10, 1898 Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Died | May 24, 1988 (aged 89) New York, New York, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Opera singer, voice teacher |
| Parent | George Hamlin |
Anna Hamlin (September 10, 1898[1] – May 24, 1988) was an American soprano singer associated with the Chicago Civic Opera Company. From 1939 to 1959, she was a professor of voice at Smith College, and "widely known as one of the most distinguished of voice teachers".[2]
Hamlin was born in Chicago, the daughter of George Hamlin and Harriet Rebecca Eldredge Hamlin. Her father was a noted tenor singer.[3] She studied voice with Marcella Sembrich.[4]
Career
Hamlin was a lyric soprano who appeared in opera roles and gave recitals.[5] With the Chicago Civic Opera she played the Page in Masked Ball in 1927.[6] In 1928, she was a soloist at the Adirondack Music Festival[7] and sang in Monte Carlo.[8] Composer Amy Beach dedicated a song to Hamlin.[9] In 1931, she gave a recital in Cincinnati, including a song by local composer Louise Snodgrass.[10] She sang on radio in the 1930s.[11]
From 1939 to 1959, Hamlin was a music professor at Smith College.[12][13] She conducted summer master classes in Milan in 1956.[2][14] Her students included Judith Raskin,[15][16] music professor Lynn Clarke Meyers,[17] Lucy Kelston,[2] Daniel Ferro,[2] Nico Castel,[13] and actress Jane White.[18] In retirement she wrote a memoir, Father was a Tenor (1978).[12][19]
