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Albright moved to Arizona with her ailing mother in 1948.<ref name=":0" /> She taught voice students and conducted vocal groups from her studio near ].<ref>{{Cite news |date=1954-04-26 |title=Mesa Women's Club to Present Choir in Concert |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-arizona-republic-mesa-womens-club-t/162837948/ |access-date=2025-01-12 |work=The Arizona Republic |pages=2 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> She was a founder and general director of the Phoenix Civic Light Opera Association in 1950,<ref>{{Cite news |date=1951-05-20 |title=Opera Company Chooses 'Die Fledermaus' for June |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-arizona-republic-opera-company-choos/162838671/ |access-date=2025-01-12 |work=The Arizona Republic |pages=22 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> and the Arizona Symphonic Choir in 1955.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Walter |first=Ray |date=1965-07-04 |title=They Gave Us Our First Opera Company |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-arizona-republic-they-gave-us-our-fi/162822491/ |access-date=2025-01-12 |work=The Arizona Republic |pages=45 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> In 1965, she was the founding director of the Phoenix Oratorio Singers.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |date=1965-11-21 |title=Oratorio Singers Formed, Lois Albright Conductor |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-arizona-republic-oratorio-singers-fo/162837760/ |access-date=2025-01-12 |work=The Arizona Republic |pages=68 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> Albright moved to Arizona with her ailing mother in 1948.<ref name=":0" /> She taught voice students and conducted vocal groups from her studio near ].<ref>{{Cite news |date=1954-04-26 |title=Mesa Women's Club to Present Choir in Concert |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-arizona-republic-mesa-womens-club-t/162837948/ |access-date=2025-01-12 |work=The Arizona Republic |pages=2 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> She was a founder and general director of the Phoenix Civic Light Opera Association in 1950,<ref>{{Cite news |date=1951-05-20 |title=Opera Company Chooses 'Die Fledermaus' for June |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-arizona-republic-opera-company-choos/162838671/ |access-date=2025-01-12 |work=The Arizona Republic |pages=22 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> and the Arizona Symphonic Choir in 1955.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Walter |first=Ray |date=1965-07-04 |title=They Gave Us Our First Opera Company |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-arizona-republic-they-gave-us-our-fi/162822491/ |access-date=2025-01-12 |work=The Arizona Republic |pages=45 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> In 1965, she was the founding director of the Phoenix Oratorio Singers.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |date=1965-11-21 |title=Oratorio Singers Formed, Lois Albright Conductor |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-arizona-republic-oratorio-singers-fo/162837760/ |access-date=2025-01-12 |work=The Arizona Republic |pages=68 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>


Her opera ''Hopitu,'' with libretto by her husband Milo W. Billingsley, premiered at ] in 1955, with Albright conducting.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Hopitu |url=https://exhibits.stanford.edu/operadata/catalog/183-26278 |access-date=2025-01-12 |website=Opening Night! - Spotlight at Stanford |language=en}}</ref> The words and music were based on (or inspired by) ] chants and legends,<ref>{{Cite news |date=1956-01-19 |title=Opera Offers Indian Talents |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/el-paso-herald-post-opera-offers-indian/162825314/ |access-date=2025-01-12 |work=El Paso Herald-Post |pages=10 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Medley |first=R. John |last2=Ellis |first2=Catherine H. |date=2018 |title=Enterprising Hopi: M. W. Billingsley, Shriners, and Second Mesa Hopi |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/45217465 |journal=The Journal of Arizona History |volume=59 |issue=4 |pages=369-372 |issn=0021-9053}}</ref> and some of the performers were Hopi elders.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Griffel |first=Margaret Ross |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Y8bQAwAAQBAJ&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&lpg=PA559&dq=Lois%20Albright%20Billingsley&pg=PA227#v=onepage&q=Lois%20Albright%20Billingsley&f=false |title=Operas in English: A Dictionary |date=2012-12-21 |publisher=Scarecrow Press |isbn=978-0-8108-8325-3 |pages=227 |language=en}}</ref> She toured with the show for several years.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ziff |first=Mitzi |date=1956-01-08 |title=Hopi Story to Unfold on Stage at Premiere of Opera in Mesa |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-arizona-republic-hopi-story-to-unfol/162863212/ |access-date=2025-01-12 |work=The Arizona Republic |pages=12 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=1957-08-09 |title=Scouts to Take Part in Indian Dances |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-tribune-scouts-to-take-part-in-india/162838836/ |access-date=2025-01-12 |work=The Tribune |pages=5 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=1961-04-10 |title=Museum to Present Program of Dances |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/tonawanda-news-museum-to-present-program/162863438/ |access-date=2025-01-12 |work=Tonawanda News |pages=18 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> She wrote and toured with another opera, ''Saul and the Medium of En-Dor'', in the 1960s.<ref>{{Cite news |date=1962-11-15 |title=Three-Scene Music Drama Slated for Presentation Here Saturday |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/nashville-banner-three-scene-music-drama/162866303/ |access-date=2025-01-12 |work=Nashville Banner |pages=3 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> Her opera ''Hopitu,'' with libretto by her husband Milo W. Billingsley, premiered at ] in 1955, with Albright conducting.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Hopitu |url=https://exhibits.stanford.edu/operadata/catalog/183-26278 |access-date=2025-01-12 |website=Opening Night! - Spotlight at Stanford |language=en}}</ref> The words and music were based on (or inspired by) ] chants and legends,<ref>{{Cite news |date=1956-01-19 |title=Opera Offers Indian Talents |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/el-paso-herald-post-opera-offers-indian/162825314/ |access-date=2025-01-12 |work=El Paso Herald-Post |pages=10 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Medley |first=R. John |last2=Ellis |first2=Catherine H. |date=2018 |title=Enterprising Hopi: M. W. Billingsley, Shriners, and Second Mesa Hopi |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/45217465 |journal=The Journal of Arizona History |volume=59 |issue=4 |pages=369–372 |issn=0021-9053}}</ref> and some of the performers were Hopi elders.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Griffel |first=Margaret Ross |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Y8bQAwAAQBAJ&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&lpg=PA559&dq=Lois%20Albright%20Billingsley&pg=PA227#v=onepage&q=Lois%20Albright%20Billingsley&f=false |title=Operas in English: A Dictionary |date=2012-12-21 |publisher=Scarecrow Press |isbn=978-0-8108-8325-3 |pages=227 |language=en}}</ref> She toured with the show for several years.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ziff |first=Mitzi |date=1956-01-08 |title=Hopi Story to Unfold on Stage at Premiere of Opera in Mesa |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-arizona-republic-hopi-story-to-unfol/162863212/ |access-date=2025-01-12 |work=The Arizona Republic |pages=12 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=1957-08-09 |title=Scouts to Take Part in Indian Dances |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-tribune-scouts-to-take-part-in-india/162838836/ |access-date=2025-01-12 |work=The Tribune |pages=5 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=1961-04-10 |title=Museum to Present Program of Dances |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/tonawanda-news-museum-to-present-program/162863438/ |access-date=2025-01-12 |work=Tonawanda News |pages=18 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> She wrote and toured with another opera, ''Saul and the Medium of En-Dor'', in the 1960s.<ref>{{Cite news |date=1962-11-15 |title=Three-Scene Music Drama Slated for Presentation Here Saturday |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/nashville-banner-three-scene-music-drama/162866303/ |access-date=2025-01-12 |work=Nashville Banner |pages=3 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>


Later in life, she was based in New York City, where she was conductor and executive director of the Manhattan Opera Singers (MOS);<ref>{{Cite news |date=1980-03-05 |title=Library slates concert by Manhattan group |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-jersey-journal-library-slates-concer/162836656/ |access-date=2025-01-12 |work=The Jersey Journal |pages=11 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> she remained director as the MOS became the Viennese Opera Society.<ref name=":2">{{Cite news |last=Allison |first=Jane |date=1981-07-03 |title=New York Loves Opera |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-indianapolis-news-new-york-loves-ope/162838203/ |access-date=2025-01-12 |work=The Indianapolis News |pages=8 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> Later in life, she was based in New York City, where she was conductor and executive director of the Manhattan Opera Singers (MOS);<ref>{{Cite news |date=1980-03-05 |title=Library slates concert by Manhattan group |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-jersey-journal-library-slates-concer/162836656/ |access-date=2025-01-12 |work=The Jersey Journal |pages=11 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> she remained director as the MOS became the Viennese Opera Society.<ref name=":2">{{Cite news |last=Allison |first=Jane |date=1981-07-03 |title=New York Loves Opera |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-indianapolis-news-new-york-loves-ope/162838203/ |access-date=2025-01-12 |work=The Indianapolis News |pages=8 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>


==Compositions== ==Compositions==
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* ''Hopitu'' (1955, opera)<ref>{{Cite book |last=Library of Congress Copyright Office |first= |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PjkhAQAAIAAJ&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&dq=Lois%20Albright%20Piano&pg=PA4#v=onepage&q=Lois%20Albright%20Piano&f=false |title=Catalog of Copyright Entries: Third series|page=4 |date=1956 |language=en}}</ref> * ''Hopitu'' (1955, opera)<ref>{{Cite book |last=Library of Congress Copyright Office |first= |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PjkhAQAAIAAJ&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&dq=Lois%20Albright%20Piano&pg=PA4#v=onepage&q=Lois%20Albright%20Piano&f=false |title=Catalog of Copyright Entries: Third series|page=4 |date=1956 |language=en}}</ref>
* ''Saul and the Medium of End-or'' (1965, opera)<ref>{{Cite news |date=1962-11-11 |title=Saul and the Medium of En-Dor (advertisement) |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-tennessean-saul-and-the-medium-of-en/162866411/ |access-date=2025-01-12 |work=The Tennessean |pages=84}}</ref> * ''Saul and the Medium of End-or'' (1965, opera)<ref>{{Cite news |date=1962-11-11 |title=Saul and the Medium of En-Dor (advertisement) |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-tennessean-saul-and-the-medium-of-en/162866411/ |access-date=2025-01-12 |work=The Tennessean |pages=84}}</ref>

==Personal life== ==Personal life==
Albright was distraught over the death of her mother in 1953, and expressed suicidal feelings in a note.<ref>{{Cite news |date=1953-02-03 |title=Lois Albright, Phoenix Artist, Grieving for Mother, Disappears |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-arizona-republic-1953-az-rep-feb-3-l/8823985/ |access-date=2025-01-12 |work=The Arizona Republic |pages=1 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> Later that year, she married librettist Milo William Billingsley.<ref>{{Cite news |date=1953-06-28 |title=Lois Albright to Wed M. W. Billingsley, Mesa |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-arizona-republic-lois-albright-to-we/162836324/ |access-date=2025-01-12 |work=The Arizona Republic |pages=26 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> They divorced in 1967.<ref>{{Cite news |date=1967-02-17 |title=Lois Albright sues Milo William Billingsley for divorce |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-arizona-republic-lois-albright-sues/9247557/ |access-date=2025-01-11 |work=The Arizona Republic |pages=43 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> She became blind around the same time; her vision was restored by surgery in 1979.<ref name=":2" /> She died in 1995, at the age of 91, in ], survived by a daughter, Gloria.<ref>{{Cite news |date=1995-08-28 |title=Obituary for Lois H. Albright |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-arizona-republic-obituary-for-lois-h/162862576/ |access-date=2025-01-12 |work=The Arizona Republic |pages=9 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> Albright was distraught over the death of her mother in 1953, and expressed suicidal feelings in a note.<ref>{{Cite news |date=1953-02-03 |title=Lois Albright, Phoenix Artist, Grieving for Mother, Disappears |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-arizona-republic-1953-az-rep-feb-3-l/8823985/ |access-date=2025-01-12 |work=The Arizona Republic |pages=1 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> Later that year, she married librettist Milo William Billingsley.<ref>{{Cite news |date=1953-06-28 |title=Lois Albright to Wed M. W. Billingsley, Mesa |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-arizona-republic-lois-albright-to-we/162836324/ |access-date=2025-01-12 |work=The Arizona Republic |pages=26 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> They divorced in 1967.<ref>{{Cite news |date=1967-02-17 |title=Lois Albright sues Milo William Billingsley for divorce |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-arizona-republic-lois-albright-sues/9247557/ |access-date=2025-01-11 |work=The Arizona Republic |pages=43 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> She became blind around the same time; her vision was restored by surgery in 1979.<ref name=":2" /> She died in 1995, at the age of 91, in ], survived by a daughter, Gloria.<ref>{{Cite news |date=1995-08-28 |title=Obituary for Lois H. Albright |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-arizona-republic-obituary-for-lois-h/162862576/ |access-date=2025-01-12 |work=The Arizona Republic |pages=9 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>

==References== ==References==
{{reflist}} {{reflist}}


{{Authority control}} {{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Albright, Lois }} {{DEFAULTSORT:Albright, Lois}}
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Latest revision as of 17:40, 12 January 2025

American pianist
Lois Albright
A smiling young woman with light skin and curly dark hair cut in a bob style, wearing a dark lace sleeveless dress and a short strand of chunky dark beadsLois Albright, from a 1927 publication
BornMay 17, 1904
Elwood, Indiana, U.S.
DiedAugust 26, 1995
Phoenix, Arizona, U.S.
Occupation(s)Pianist, violinist, singer, composer, conductor

Lois H. Albright Billingsley (May 17, 1904 – August 26, 1995) was an American pianist, violinist, singer, conductor and composer, based in Chicago as a young woman, in Phoenix in midlife, and in New York City in her later years.

Early life and education

Albright was born in Elwood, Indiana, the daughter of Frank A. Albright and Catherine (Kate) Benefiel Albright. Her father was a minister. Her sisters Pearl and Maude were also musical. She began performing music as a teenager. She studied with Sidney Silber, P. Marinus Paulsen, and Louis Luntz.

Career

Albright played both piano and violin in recitals and concerts. After a piano recital in 1927, L. M. Spaulding in The Music News reported that "Miss Albright played with such beauty of expression and masterly technique that she won the keenest attention of her audience." While she was in Chicago, she was active in the Chicago Radio Ensemble, the Chicago Lyric Theater, the Fine Arts Vocal Ensemble, and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. She was also head of the music department at Harding College for two years.

Albright moved to Arizona with her ailing mother in 1948. She taught voice students and conducted vocal groups from her studio near Mesa. She was a founder and general director of the Phoenix Civic Light Opera Association in 1950, and the Arizona Symphonic Choir in 1955. In 1965, she was the founding director of the Phoenix Oratorio Singers.

Her opera Hopitu, with libretto by her husband Milo W. Billingsley, premiered at Carnegie Hall in 1955, with Albright conducting. The words and music were based on (or inspired by) Hopi chants and legends, and some of the performers were Hopi elders. She toured with the show for several years. She wrote and toured with another opera, Saul and the Medium of En-Dor, in the 1960s.

Later in life, she was based in New York City, where she was conductor and executive director of the Manhattan Opera Singers (MOS); she remained director as the MOS became the Viennese Opera Society.

Compositions

  • Alleluja (1954)
  • Hopitu (1955, opera)
  • Saul and the Medium of End-or (1965, opera)

Personal life

Albright was distraught over the death of her mother in 1953, and expressed suicidal feelings in a note. Later that year, she married librettist Milo William Billingsley. They divorced in 1967. She became blind around the same time; her vision was restored by surgery in 1979. She died in 1995, at the age of 91, in Phoenix, Arizona, survived by a daughter, Gloria.

References

  1. "Free on Evidence of Lois Albright; Elwood Family Acquitted of Delinquency Charge". The Star Press. 1923-02-16. p. 15. Retrieved 2025-01-12 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. "Immorality Charges by Boy Involve Minister, His Wife and Three Daughters". The Buffalo Times. 1923-03-04. p. 38. Retrieved 2025-01-12 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. "Miss Pearl Albright Entertained Her Friends". The Call-Leader. 1908-09-04. p. 4. Retrieved 2025-01-12 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. "Musical Recital at Thomann Home". The Call-Leader. 1917-05-16. p. 3. Retrieved 2025-01-12 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. "Schools and Conservatories" The Musical Observer 24(12)(December 1925): 35.
  6. "Musical Publications Praise Miss Albright". The Call-Leader. 1926-07-22. p. 5. Retrieved 2025-01-12 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. "Recital by Lois Albright" Music News 19(April 22, 1927): 17.
  8. ^ "Chicago Musician Discovers Phoenix Air is Great Boon to Artists' Vocal Ability". The Arizona Republic. 1948-10-01. p. 28. Retrieved 2025-01-12 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. "Mesa Women's Club to Present Choir in Concert". The Arizona Republic. 1954-04-26. p. 2. Retrieved 2025-01-12 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. "Opera Company Chooses 'Die Fledermaus' for June". The Arizona Republic. 1951-05-20. p. 22. Retrieved 2025-01-12 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. Walter, Ray (1965-07-04). "They Gave Us Our First Opera Company". The Arizona Republic. p. 45. Retrieved 2025-01-12 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. ^ "Oratorio Singers Formed, Lois Albright Conductor". The Arizona Republic. 1965-11-21. p. 68. Retrieved 2025-01-12 – via Newspapers.com.
  13. "Hopitu". Opening Night! - Spotlight at Stanford. Retrieved 2025-01-12.
  14. "Opera Offers Indian Talents". El Paso Herald-Post. 1956-01-19. p. 10. Retrieved 2025-01-12 – via Newspapers.com.
  15. Medley, R. John; Ellis, Catherine H. (2018). "Enterprising Hopi: M. W. Billingsley, Shriners, and Second Mesa Hopi". The Journal of Arizona History. 59 (4): 369–372. ISSN 0021-9053.
  16. Griffel, Margaret Ross (2012-12-21). Operas in English: A Dictionary. Scarecrow Press. p. 227. ISBN 978-0-8108-8325-3.
  17. Ziff, Mitzi (1956-01-08). "Hopi Story to Unfold on Stage at Premiere of Opera in Mesa". The Arizona Republic. p. 12. Retrieved 2025-01-12 – via Newspapers.com.
  18. "Scouts to Take Part in Indian Dances". The Tribune. 1957-08-09. p. 5. Retrieved 2025-01-12 – via Newspapers.com.
  19. "Museum to Present Program of Dances". Tonawanda News. 1961-04-10. p. 18. Retrieved 2025-01-12 – via Newspapers.com.
  20. "Three-Scene Music Drama Slated for Presentation Here Saturday". Nashville Banner. 1962-11-15. p. 3. Retrieved 2025-01-12 – via Newspapers.com.
  21. "Library slates concert by Manhattan group". The Jersey Journal. 1980-03-05. p. 11. Retrieved 2025-01-12 – via Newspapers.com.
  22. ^ Allison, Jane (1981-07-03). "New York Loves Opera". The Indianapolis News. p. 8. Retrieved 2025-01-12 – via Newspapers.com.
  23. Library of Congress Copyright Office (1956). Catalog of Copyright Entries: Third series. p. 4.
  24. "Saul and the Medium of En-Dor (advertisement)". The Tennessean. 1962-11-11. p. 84. Retrieved 2025-01-12.
  25. "Lois Albright, Phoenix Artist, Grieving for Mother, Disappears". The Arizona Republic. 1953-02-03. p. 1. Retrieved 2025-01-12 – via Newspapers.com.
  26. "Lois Albright to Wed M. W. Billingsley, Mesa". The Arizona Republic. 1953-06-28. p. 26. Retrieved 2025-01-12 – via Newspapers.com.
  27. "Lois Albright sues Milo William Billingsley for divorce". The Arizona Republic. 1967-02-17. p. 43. Retrieved 2025-01-11 – via Newspapers.com.
  28. "Obituary for Lois H. Albright". The Arizona Republic. 1995-08-28. p. 9. Retrieved 2025-01-12 – via Newspapers.com.
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