Author Topic: Florence Bruce -Mezzo Soprano  (Read 568 times)

Offline Robert Fletcher

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Florence Bruce -Mezzo Soprano
« on: Tuesday 09 June 20 12:42 BST (UK) »
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" from a 1911 recording.
Sometimes you have to broader a search, hence asking here. Any help appreciated.

Thanks...
BELL - Nottingham
FISHER – Hinckley Leics
FLETCHER – Louth (District), Lincolnshire
HALLETT - Grimsby Lincs
MINKLEY - Notts & Leics

Offline Girl Guide

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Re: Florence Bruce -Mezzo Soprano
« Reply #1 on: Tuesday 09 June 20 17:05 BST (UK) »
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.
Ashford: Somerset, London
England: Devon, London, New Zealand
Holdway: Wiltshire
Hooper: Bristol, Somerset
Knowling: Devon, London
Southcott: Devon, China
Strong: Wiltshire
Watson: Cambridgeshire
White: Bristol
Windo - Gloucestershire, Somerset, Wiltshire

Offline Spidermonkey

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Re: Florence Bruce -Mezzo Soprano
« Reply #2 on: Tuesday 09 June 20 17:09 BST (UK) »
Looking at the newspaper archive on FindMyPast, there are mentions of Florence Bruce performing in Yorkshire in March 1894

Offline Spidermonkey

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Re: Florence Bruce -Mezzo Soprano
« Reply #3 on: Tuesday 09 June 20 17:12 BST (UK) »
From the Yorkshire Evening Press 22 March 1894


Offline Girl Guide

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Re: Florence Bruce -Mezzo Soprano
« Reply #4 on: Tuesday 09 June 20 17:13 BST (UK) »
That's more likely Spider Monkey, so suggests she was British perhaps?
Ashford: Somerset, London
England: Devon, London, New Zealand
Holdway: Wiltshire
Hooper: Bristol, Somerset
Knowling: Devon, London
Southcott: Devon, China
Strong: Wiltshire
Watson: Cambridgeshire
White: Bristol
Windo - Gloucestershire, Somerset, Wiltshire

Offline Spidermonkey

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Re: Florence Bruce -Mezzo Soprano
« Reply #5 on: Tuesday 09 June 20 17:19 BST (UK) »
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.

Offline Spidermonkey

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Re: Florence Bruce -Mezzo Soprano
« Reply #6 on: Tuesday 09 June 20 17:24 BST (UK) »
August 1895 - The Empire, Blackpool

Winter 1895 - still with Madame Marie Levante, based in Yorkshire and the north

Offline Spidermonkey

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Re: Florence Bruce -Mezzo Soprano
« Reply #7 on: Tuesday 09 June 20 17:26 BST (UK) »
June 1896 - part of Mr Louis Tussaud's exhibition in the Agricultural Hall, Norwich.  Still part of the Bohemian Band of Ladies.

Offline Spidermonkey

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Re: Florence Bruce -Mezzo Soprano
« Reply #8 on: Tuesday 09 June 20 17:30 BST (UK) »
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.