Helen Olheim
Helen Olheim (1904 – June 26, 1992[1]) was an American mezzo-soprano opera singer. She was born in Buffalo, New York,[1] in 1904 as Helen Oelheim. She graduated from the Eastman School of Music[1] where Adelin Fermin was her teacher.[2] She sang with the American Opera Company where she met her future husband, Frederick Michel, whom she married in September 1927.[3] Olheim was a guest on many radio programs including The Cathedral Hour on WABC (now WHSQ),[2] and was a member of the Metropolitan Opera from 1935 until 1944 where she appeared in 360 performances.[1][4] Among the roles she played at the Met were Mercédès from Bizet's Carmen, Siebel from Gounod's Faust.[1] (her debut role at the Met),[2][3] Maddalena from Verdi's Rigoletto, and Suzuki from Puccini's Madama Butterfly.[3]
Olheim was a Member Laureate of the fraternity for music professionals Sigma Alpha Iota.[5]
After Olheim (which was her stage name) left the Metropolitan Opera, she taught at Mount Holyoke College from 1954 until 1966,[3] and then she moved to Sarasota, Florida.[1] Olheim died June 26, 1992, from natural causes at the Beneva Nursing Pavilion in Sarasota at the age of 87.[1]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f g "Helen Olheim Is Dead; A Mezzo-Soprano, 87". The New York Times. June 30, 1992. p. D-23. Retrieved February 9, 2024.
- ^ a b c New York Bureau of the Buffalo Evening News (December 21, 1935). "Helen Oelheim Is Thrilled By Her Metropolitan Debut". The Buffalo News. p. 49. Retrieved February 11, 2024 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c d Elsaesser, Harvey (May 17, 1969). "Singing Commercial Started Helen Olheim up Opera Path". The Buffalo News. p. 27. Retrieved February 10, 2024 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ "Helen Olheim's performances at the Metropolitan Opera", archives.metopera.org
- ^ "Member Laureate", Sigma Alpha Iota
