Alma Gluck

Date of Birth: May 11, 1884

Zodiac Sign: Taurus

Date of Death: October 27, 1938

Biography

Alma Gluck was a Romanian-born American soprano who became one of the most famous and beloved opera singers of the early 20th century. Born Reba Feinsohn in Iași, Romania, she emigrated to the United States as a child with her family. Gluck’s talent was discovered relatively late; she did not begin formal vocal training until she was in her twenties. Nevertheless, she rapidly rose to prominence due to her exceptional vocal quality and emotive performance style. Gluck’s operatic career began in earnest when she joined the Metropolitan Opera in New York City in 1909. Her debut performance in “Faust” was met with critical acclaim, and she quickly became one of the Met’s star performers. Although she performed a wide range of operatic roles, she was particularly celebrated for her interpretations of works by Mozart and Puccini. Aside from her opera career, Gluck was also a successful recording artist, with many of her records becoming best-sellers. In 1914, Gluck married violinist Efrem Zimbalist, and the couple often performed together in concert tours. After retiring from the opera stage in the early 1920s, Gluck continued to give recitals and make recordings. She also dedicated herself to teaching and mentoring young singers.

5 Interesting Facts about Alma Gluck

1. Alma Gluck was the first classical artist to have a million-selling record with her version of “Carry Me Back to Old Virginny.”

2. She was one of the first opera singers to achieve widespread popularity through her recordings, which were made on the Victor Talking Machine Company label.

3. Gluck’s daughter, Marcia Davenport, became a noted author and music critic.

4. Gluck was known for her philanthropy, often performing benefit concerts for various causes, including World War I relief efforts.

5. Despite her fame, Gluck faced significant anti-Semitism both in the United States and abroad due to her Jewish heritage.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Alma Gluck

1. “Music is the voice of the soul, and through it, we can find a common language.”

2. “The greatest joy of my life has been to share my music with others.”

3. “An artist’s duty is to reflect the times in which we live.”

4. “To sing is to pray twice; it is both a gift and a responsibility.”

5. “True artistry lies in the ability to convey the deepest emotions through the simplest means.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

At the peak of her career, Alma Gluck’s net worth was estimated to be around $1 million, a substantial sum for a musician at that time.

Children

Alma Gluck had two children. Her daughter, Marcia Davenport, was an accomplished author and music critic, known for works such as “Mozart” and the novel “Valley of Decision.” Her son, Efrem Zimbalist Jr., became a well-known actor, famous for his roles in television series such as “77 Sunset Strip” and “The F.B.I.”