Nanette Guilford

Nanette Guilford (August 17, 1903 – March 17, 1990), born Nanette Gutman, was an American opera singer (soprano), voice teacher and recording entrepreneur. She is best known for singing at the Metropolitan Opera House from 1923 to 1932 and as one of the first American singers to establish operatic career without studying in Europe. She produced music for the Girl Scouts of America.

Life Nanette Guilford, named at birth Nanette Gutman, was born in Harlem, New York on 17 August 1903. She studied privately with Albert Jeannote and in 1921 started her musical theater career in a musical The Midnignt Rounders of 1921 at the Century Promenade theater. Guilford and Rosen made recordings together. thumb Nanette GuilfordNanette Guilford died of an intestinal infection on 17 March 1990 at St. Vincent Hospital in New York City. She was 86 years old. She sang small roles until March 1926, when she appeared as Ginerva in La Cena Delle Beffe by Umberto Giordano. Guilford left the Met in 1932 and after that sang at Cosmopolitan Opera House.

Broadway In May 1934 Guilford was rehearsing a musical show called Caviar. A musical romance, Caviar opened on 7 June 1934 and was on at Forest Theatre till 23 June. Guilford sang in Caviar the principal role of Elena, who wanted to marry a Russian prince solely because of his title, but finally felt in love with him. Caviar managed less than three weeks on Broadway. Despite the strong voice of Guilford, it was received by critics as a quick failure. Among others she produced music for the Girl Scouts of America.