Devora Nadworney

Devora Nadworney, from a 1921 publication.

Devora Nadworney (1895 — January 7, 1948) was an American contralto singer.

Early life

Nadworney was born in New York, the daughter of Russian immigrants; she lived in Bayonne, New Jersey. She attended Hunter College, and taught elementary school[1] while she studied music in New York, at the Aborn School of Opera.[2] She also studied with Johanna Bayerlee.[3] She won a prize from the Tri-City Convention of the National Federation of Music Clubs in 1921.[4][5]

Career

Johanna Bayerlee and Devora Nadworney, from a 1921 publication.

Nadworney was a contralto singer. "Few young contraltos at present before the public can rival the equipment of Devora Nadworney", commented one publication in 1918.[2] She was under the management of Annie Friedberg in 1918,[6] and sang at Liberty Loan fundraisers[7] and gave concerts for the troops stationed near New York City during World War I.[8] She sometimes gave concerts of Russian folk songs while dressed in traditional embroidered costume.[9] She was also popular as a church soloist, in oratorios.[10] In 1921 she made a recording for the Victor Talking Machine Company.[11]

Nadworney had the distinction of being the first singer heard over a radio network in the United States, in 1928.[12] Through the 1920s and into the 1930s she was especially active in radio.[13] She sang the lead in Carmen on air in 1925, and Aida in 1926, both with the WEAF Grand Opera Company, under conductor Cesare Sodero.[14][15] She was associated with the Chicago Civil Opera from 1925 until at least 1934.[16]

In 1945 she sang at a noon concert at New York City's Town Hall.[17]

Personal life and legacy

Devora Nadworney married lawyer Herman Spingarn in 1935. They divorced in 1941. She died in 1948, aged 52 years, in New York. Her obituary listing in Billboard Magazine described her as a "pioneer radio contralto... one of the first singers to perform over radio."[18][19]

The National Federation of Music Clubs offers the Devora Nadworney Award for young composers.[20]

References

  1. ↑ "Appointments – Elementary Schools" School (January 29, 1914): 217.
  2. 1 2 "Long List of Promising Singers in Personnel of Aborn Opera Classes" Musical America (August 31, 1918): 32.
  3. ↑ "Artist from the Bayerlee Studio Wins Great Success" Music News (April 28, 1922): 16.
  4. ↑ "Mme. Bayerlee's Pupil is Prize Winner in Federation Contest" Musical America (June 25, 1921): 32.
  5. ↑ "Winners of Contests Sponsored by Music Clubs Show Real Talent" Musical America (June 25, 1921): 2.
  6. ↑ "Devora Nadworny Under Management of Annie Friedberg" Musical America (July 13, 1918): 29.
  7. ↑ "Give War Service" Musical Leader (October 24, 1918): 392.
  8. ↑ "Devora Nadworney Sings at Camp Concerts" Musical America (August 10, 1918): 25.
  9. ↑ "Devora Nadworney's Fine Notices" Musical Courier (December 21, 1922): 52.
  10. ↑ "Devora Nadworney: National Prize Winner in N. F. M. C. Contest" Musical Monitor (November 1921): 63.
  11. ↑ Discography of American Historical Recordings, "Devora Nadworney (vocalist : soprano vocal)".
  12. ↑ "Devora Nadworney Has Distinct Honor" Morning Call (December 29, 1928): 20. via Newspapers.com
  13. ↑ Victoria Etnier Villamil, From Johnson's Kids to Lemonade Opera: The American Classical Singer Comes of Age (UPNE 2004): 16. ISBN 9781555536350
  14. ↑ "World's Series and Great Array of Super-Concerts on WCAE Radio Schedule" Pittsburgh Press (October 24, 1925): 84. via Newspapers.com
  15. ↑ "Cast for Grand Opera 'Aida' From KSD Tomorrow Night" St. Louis Post-Dispatch (October 31, 1926): 61. via Newspapers.com
  16. ↑ "Local Jewry Hails Tribute to Ussishkin" Jewish Telegraphic Agency (May 2, 1934).
  17. ↑ "Devora Nadworney Sings at Town Hall" New York Times (October 15, 1945): 24. via ProQuest
  18. ↑ "The Final Curtain" Billboard Magazine (January 17, 1948): 46.
  19. ↑ "Devora Nadworney" New York Times (January 8, 1948): 25. via ProQuest
  20. ↑ NFMC Devora Nadworney Award, Scholarship Library.
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