Elizabeth Amsden

Elizabeth Amsden (March 27, 1881, Boston – July 20, 1966, Sugar Hill, New Hampshire) was an American operatic soprano and actress.[1] She had an active international opera career during the early 20th century. She also appeared in several small to mid-sized roles in Hollywood films between 1923 and 1946; appearing in a total of 35 motion pictures.

Elizabeth Amsden

Life and career

Amsden was born in Boston, Massachusetts, but during her school days her family moved to Providence, Rhode Island, where she was educated at the Elmhurst School. In 1892 she entered the International School for singers in Boston where she studied under William Whitney. She then went to Paris where she remained for six years before making her professional debut at London's Royal Opera House in 1910. Following engagements in Nice and Brussels, she became a member of the Boston Opera Company in 1911 where her roles included Minnie in La fanciulla del West and the title role in Aida.[2]

She sang with the Century Opera Company and toured the United States with the San Carlo Opera Company. Her first marriage to French-Canadian baritone Joseph Royer ended in divorce. Her second marriage, to New York Post music critic and sports writer Charles P. Sawyer, ended with his death in 1935. She later married Gabriel Chaminadas who survived her upon her death in 1966.[3]

References

1. "Crowd Warmly Greets "Aida" with Elizabeth Amsden in Title Role". The New York Times. September 3, 1918. Retrieved December 5, 2009. Signor Caruso and his American bride, in a right stage box under flags of the Allies, joined an eager audience that stood up and cheered at the Shubert Theatre last night while the orchestra of the San Carlo Opera company played ...
2. Lahee, Henry Charles (1912). The Grand Opera Singers of Today. Boston: L.C. Page and Company, pp. 390-91
3. "Mrs. G. Chaminadas" (PDF). The New York Times. July 21, 1966.