RootsChat.Com
General => The Common Room => Topic started by: Robert Fletcher on Tuesday 09 June 20 12:42 BST (UK)
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I follow some classic 78 recordings on the "OldiesAl" channel on youtube. The latest is a treasure that has defied any research. Looking for any information on Florence Bruce, Mezzo-Soprano. She is singing Loch Lomond "https://youtu.be/bOo1UmOCo3g (https://youtu.be/bOo1UmOCo3g)" from a 1911 recording.
Sometimes you have to broader a search, hence asking here. Any help appreciated.
Thanks...
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Could this be Florence?
From SF Gate Thursday, March 6, 1997 (I assume this is San Fancisco.)
Florence Welch Bruce, a supporter of the San Francisco Opera since the 1930s and the creator of the Florence Bruce scholarship for promising musicians, died February 24 in her Hillsborough home after a brief illness. She was 90.
A native of San Francisco and a graduate of the Katherine Burke and Hamlin schools in San Francisco, Mrs. Burke was active in the Red Cross during World War II.
She was a past president of the San Francisco Opera Guild and helped develop the opera's Merola Fund.
She was a supporter and volunteer at the San Francisco and San Mateo arboretums and was a former member of the board of Mills Hospital.
Her husband of 45 years, Starr Bruce, died in 1969.
There is a marriage of a Starr Bruce to a Florence Elaine Welch on 11 November 1926 in San Francisco, California. Her parents are given as Andrew Welch and Julia De Laveaga.
It doesn't state that she was a mezzo soprano but it could be her. But it may not as she was 90 in 1997 so born 1907. If she was recording in 1911 then I think four years old would be too young!! ::)
I assume you have no idea where she could have been born. Of course Florence Bruce may have been a stage name and not her real name! Interesting that nothing seems to come up on Google that is of any significance.
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Looking at the newspaper archive on FindMyPast, there are mentions of Florence Bruce performing in Yorkshire in March 1894
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From the Yorkshire Evening Press 22 March 1894
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That's more likely Spider Monkey, so suggests she was British perhaps?
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Looks like it - going into 1895, Miss Bruce is still performing with Madame Marie Levante's Bohemian Band of Ladies and Concert Party. I've found reference to her in Penrith and Todmorden - so perhaps 'northern' (wide geographical area!) based?
In Todmorden, she is also listed as a Banjoist as well as soprano.
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August 1895 - The Empire, Blackpool
Winter 1895 - still with Madame Marie Levante, based in Yorkshire and the north
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June 1896 - part of Mr Louis Tussaud's exhibition in the Agricultural Hall, Norwich. Still part of the Bohemian Band of Ladies.
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Potentially by January of 1897, Miss Bruce has departed from Bohemian Band of Ladies. She is listed in The Stage (28 Jan 1897) as being part of the cast of Aladdin being performed at The Royal, Blackburn.
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That is the last reference I can find of Florence Bruce AND soprano in the newspaper archive. I'll see if there are any leads to grab from elsewhere.
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There is a possible Florence birth here:
BRUCE, FLORENCE WAIND WAIND
GRO Reference: 1876 M Quarter in YORK Volume 09D Page 47
In 1901 she is living here 10, Priory Street, York, Yorkshire & Yorkshire. Her occupation is given as Assistant School Mistress, so may be did singing on the side?
Registration district York
Archive reference RG13
Piece number 4440
Folio 32
Page 14
I haven't found her in 1911 yet nor any possible marriage.
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Found her in 1911 with a completely mangled second christian name. Living at 27 Havelock Road Hastings, Hastings, Sussex with her sister and mother. Mother now a widow.
Occupation is teacher so could still be doing singing on the side ;D
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This could well be her marriage:-
Marriages Sep 1915
Bruce Florence W Harman Hastings 2b 53
Harman Frederick G Bruce Hastings 2b 53
It is in Hastings where she is living in 1911.
This is all speculation of course, she may not be the mezzo-soprano one at all.
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That's a possibility, GG.
In January 1898, Miss Florence Bruce is still performing in Aladdin, but this time in Ashton Under Lyne.
Found a mention of Miss Bruce in 1913 (see attached clipping). Lillian Oates is mentioned again - they seem to have been linked for some years, so I wonder if they lodge together?
Possibly same Lillian Oates as found here https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/50fd682c1c3d4ad0a1e9d311b69e0856
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Florence is a widow in 1939, retired school mistress. Couldn't see any children from that marriage.
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Just found a death for her:-
Deaths Sep 1973
HARMAN FLORENCE WAIND 19JA1876 HASTINGS 5H 1112
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Seems her husband died in 1926 so the marriage didn't last long. He may have been in the first world war and suffered badly in it.
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I must thank you all for doing so well. The performance in Yorkshire where it actually lists Florence Bruce -Mezzo-Soprano looks very promising. The record label the "Bel Canto" record label was short-lived. From my understanding, Florence does not appear on any other recordings.
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According to here http://www.mgthomas.co.uk/Records/LabelPages/Pickofall.htm Florence Bruce was on 3 other recordings (catalogue number 950, 951, 952), and it was Eleanor Bruce who recorded Loch Lomond.
So, ultimate question - were Florence and Eleanor related????????