Eleanor Everest Freer facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Eleanor Freer
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| Born | May 14, 1864 Philadelphia, PA
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| Died | December 13, 1942 (aged 78) Chicago, IL
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| Occupation | Singer, teacher, composer |
Eleanor Everest Freer (born May 14, 1864, died December 13, 1942) was an important American composer. She was also a philanthropist, meaning she used her money and time to help others. Eleanor Freer wrote many songs and operas. She worked hard to make American opera popular.
Contents
Eleanor Freer's Life Story
Eleanor Everest was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Her parents were Cornelius and Ellen Amelia Everest. From a young age, she loved music.
Her Early Music Studies
Eleanor traveled to Paris, France, to study singing. Her teacher was a famous singer named Mathilde Marchesi. She also learned how to compose music from Benjamin Godard. After her studies, Eleanor taught music. She taught in Philadelphia and New York City.
Moving to Chicago and Family Life
In 1893, Eleanor married Archibald Freer. He was a doctor from Chicago. They had one daughter together. In 1899, the family moved to Chicago. There, Eleanor continued her music studies. She learned music theory from Bernard Ziehn. In 1934, she earned a special degree. It was a Doctor of Music (D.Mus.) from the Boguslawski College of Music.
Helping American Opera Grow
Eleanor Freer was very passionate about opera. She wanted American operas to be performed in English. In 1921, she started the Opera in Our Language Foundation (OOLF). She also founded the American Opera Society of Chicago (AOSC). These groups helped American composers and singers.
One of her one-act operas was called The Legend of the Piper. The American Opera Company performed it many times. This happened between 1928 and 1929. Eleanor Freer passed away in Chicago in 1942.
Eleanor Freer's Musical Creations
Eleanor Freer was a very busy composer. She wrote eleven operas. She also composed more than 150 songs. Many of her songs were put into collections.
Famous Works by Eleanor Freer
Some of her well-known works include:
- A Book of Songs, op. 4 (a collection of 9 songs)
- Five Songs to Spring
- Six Songs to Nature
- Sonnets from the Portuguese (a collection of 44 songs)
- The Brownings Go to Italy (an opera)
- The Legend of the Piper (a one-act opera)
- Scenes from Little Women (an opera based on the famous book)
