Florence Wickham

Florence Pauline Wickham Lueder (1880 – October 20, 1962) was an American composer and contralto who made an international career at major opera houses such as the Metropolitan Opera in New York City. After retiring from the stage, she composed several ballets and operettas.

Life and career Florence Pauline Wickham was born in 1880 in Beaver, Pennsylvania. and in Berlin with Lilli Lehmann, Mathilde Mallinger and Franz Emmerich.

Wickham made her stage debut as Fides in Meyerbeer's Le Prophete at the Royal Court Theater in Wiesbaden at age 20, followed by Amneris in Verdi's Aida at the Royal Theater in Munich. She performed at the Royal Opera House in London for three seasons. From 1909, she performed at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City in 22 roles in 169 performances, including several world premieres. In 1910, she was awarded a Medal for Arts and Sciences and the title of Court Singer at a concert in Berlin. Rosalind was first performed in Europe at the Volkstheater in Dresden during the winter season. Wickham wrote a second opera, The Legend of Hex Mountain, in 1957 based on the Amish of Pennsylvania. It was premiered at the Memorial Hall in Plymouth, Massachusetts. Her music scores and correspondence are archived at the Music Division of the New York Public Library.

Works Wickham's published works include choral pieces, songs and works for the stage:

Ballet

Gift of Laughter Indian Summer Musicians of Murano

Operetta

Ancestor Maker Legend of Hex Mountain Look and Long (music by Florence Wickham and Marvin Schwartz; text by Gertrude Stein) Rosalind