Florence Cole Talbert facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Florence Cole Talbert-McCleave
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Florence Cole Talbert in 1925
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Florence Cole |
| Born | June 17, 1890 Detroit, Michigan |
| Died | April 3, 1961 (aged 70) Memphis, Tennessee |
| Genres | Opera |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, composer, music educator |
| Years active | 1910s-1930s |
Florence Cole Talbert-McCleave (born Florence Cole, June 17, 1890 – April 3, 1961) was an amazing American opera singer, music teacher, and musician. People called her "The First Lady in Grand Opera." She was one of the first African American women to become a successful opera singer in Europe in the 1900s.
Florence was a legendary figure in the African American music world. She was also known as the "Queen of the Concert Stage" and "Our Divine Florence." She made history by being the first African American woman to sing the main role of Verdi's opera Aida in Europe. She was also one of the first black classical artists to record her music.
After her singing career, Florence became a music teacher. She taught at colleges like Fisk University and Tuskegee University. She even encouraged Marian Anderson, a very famous opera singer, to become a classical musician. Florence also wrote the words for the official song of the Delta Sigma Theta sorority. She passed away in Memphis when she was 70 years old. Her work helped many black musicians who came after her.
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Becoming a Musician
Florence Cole was born on June 17, 1890, in Detroit, Michigan. Her family loved music and performing. Her mother, Sadie Chandler Cole, was a singer and worked for civil rights. Her father was also a singer. Florence's grandmother even started the first black Baptist choir in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Florence started learning piano when she was six years old. Her family moved to Los Angeles, California, when she was eight. She kept playing piano and even helped her mother during concerts when she was twelve.
When she was a teenager, Florence was the first black student to attend Los Angeles High School. She studied music and languages there. She was praised for her piano playing.
Deciding to Sing
Florence decided to become a singer when she was fifteen. She watched an opera called Aida. She said, "I wanted to sing the title role in Aida." She joined her school's glee club and became the first black soloist in it.
She started taking voice lessons from Gloria Mayne Windsor. At sixteen, she sang with Madam Emma Azalia Hackley, a famous black singer. Hackley saw Florence's talent and told her to keep training. Florence learned from other great teachers like Oscar Saenger. Saenger said her voice was "beautiful" and she used it "with consummate skill." She also learned from Eusebio Concialdi, who told her to focus on Italian opera.
Florence was chosen as the main singer for her high school graduation. She was the first black student to do this in Los Angeles. She then went to the University of Southern California College of Music to study more.
Her Amazing Career
In 1915, Florence left college and started touring with Hahn's Jubilee Singers. She traveled all over the U.S. and Canada. She met her first husband, Wendell P. Talbert, who was a pianist. She kept his last name for her singing career.
In 1916, she started performing solo. She moved to Chicago, Illinois, to study at the Chicago Musical College. She was the first black student to perform in the school's programs. She finished her music education in just one year instead of four. She received the highest honor, the Diamond Medal, for her amazing vocal studies. That same year, she was featured on the cover of Half Century Magazine.
Early Performances
After graduating, Florence performed in Chicago, Detroit, and Los Angeles. In 1916, she sang with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. She also made her New York debut at Aeolian Hall. From 1918 to 1925, she toured across the U.S. Newspapers like The Chicago Defender praised her. The Competitor magazine called her "An Idol of the Concert Stage."
She kept training with Oscar Saenger. She also performed with other famous artists. In 1919, she sang Handel's Messiah with the Howard University Choral Society. A critic from The Washington Times said her voice was "pure and high" and "exquisite."
Recordings and Songs
Florence started recording her music very early, in 1919. She was one of the first black classical artists to have her music recorded. Many other black artists didn't get this chance back then. She sang many different types of songs, from opera arias to spirituals.
She recorded for different companies:
- Broome Special Phonograph Label: In 1919, she recorded three songs, including "Nobody Knows the Trouble I've Seen."
- Black Swan Records: This was the first record label owned by and for African Americans. Florence was the first classical musician to record with them. She recorded songs like "Bell Song" from the opera Lakmé in 1921 and 1923.
- Paramount Records: In 1924, she recorded two more songs, including "Homing."
Aida in Europe
From 1925 to 1927, Florence studied music in Europe, especially in Italy and France. Many artists went to Europe to learn more. She studied with famous teachers like Delia Valeri.
A huge moment in Florence's career happened in March 1927. She made her debut at the Teatro Communale in Cosenza, Italy. She sang the main role of Giuseppe Verdi's opera Aida. She was the first black woman to play Aida with an all-white European opera company. She received great praise in Paris, London, and Rome. She was even offered a five-year contract to sing Aida, but she had to return to the U.S. with her mother. After her Aida performances, she continued to give concerts in Italy and Paris.
Back in the U.S.
When Florence returned to the U.S. in 1927, she continued to tour and perform. She was well-known in the African American music community. However, it was harder for her to find opera opportunities in the U.S. She also started teaching voice lessons to students.
She met her second husband, Benjamin F. McCleave, while on tour in Tennessee. They married in 1930.
Teaching and Mentoring
In 1930, Florence decided to focus on teaching. She became the first black director of music at Bishop College in Texas. Later, she led the voice department at the Tuskegee Institute and Fisk University. She also opened her own teaching studio in Memphis, Tennessee, where she lived.
Florence mentored many students who became famous classical musicians. Some of her students included:
- Vera Little: A mezzo-soprano who sang Carmen in Berlin in 1957.
- Marian Anderson: A world-famous singer who was the first black artist to perform at the Metropolitan Opera in New York. Florence encouraged Marian to sing and even helped raise money for her training.
- La Julia Rhea: An opera singer who was one of the first black artists to audition for the Metropolitan Opera. Like Florence, she also sang the role of Aida.
Florence also helped bring famous artists like Leontyne Price to sing at LeMoyne–Owen College. This gave young black musicians in Memphis a chance to learn from top artists.
Community Work
Florence was very active in the African American community. In 1919, she joined the National Association of Negro Musicians. She sang at their yearly meetings and helped lead artist conferences. She also helped start the Memphis Music Association. She was a co-founder of the Christian Science Society Church in Memphis.
As an honorary member of the Delta Sigma Theta sorority, Florence wrote their national hymn.
Awards and Praise
Florence was highly praised in the African American music community. She was called the "Queen of the Concert Stage." In 1930, after a performance in Houston, critics said she was "the greatest operatic soprano the race has ever produced." They also called her "among the greatest singers the world has ever known." In Los Angeles, people called her "Our Divine Florence."
On June 25, 1953, the National Negro Opera Guild gave Florence a special award. They named her "The First Lady of Grand Opera."
Her Legacy
Opera Memphis has started the McCleave Project. This project helps singers, directors, and coaches of color. It aims to continue Florence's legacy. The project also encourages conversations and events to help Opera Memphis connect with more diverse communities in Memphis.
Images for kids
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Florence Cole Talbert in 1925
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Florence Cole Talbert
