Catharine Newsome Jewell

Catherine Newsome Jewell
Jewell on the cover of Musical Advance, December 1924
Born1868 or 1869
Died(1936-07-16)16 July 1936
Venice, California
Occupations

Catharine Newsome Jewell (1868/69-1936) was an American soprano and voice teacher. Decorated on several occasions by the Italian government for charity work,[1] she had one of the largest collections of medals, ribbons and other decorations possessed by any musical artist of her era.

Life and career

Early life and education

Catharine (or Catherine)[2] Newsome was born in 1868 or 1869.[2][3][4]

She belonged to the school of celebrità, with the experience of studying under the great singing masters of her era both in the U.S. and Europe, including Franz Xavier Arens, Marcel Chadeigne, Marcelle Demougeot, Herman Devries, Emma Nevada, Jean de Reszke, Tullio Serafin, and Maria Laura Vimercati of Milan.[1][5][6]

Singing

Jewell had a career of singing in Europe for 12 years.[1] She then returned to the U.S., where she appeared in an extensive tour of concerts and recitals.

In 1904, she toured with the Ben-Hur Opera Company.[7] In 1906, she was performing in Columbus, Georgia, having left the Ben-Hur Opera Company.[8]

She returned to New York City in January 1925 to sing at the Town Hall for the benefit of a fresh-air home at Sestola, Italy, for children from Bologna, Padua, and Parma. The New York Times review regarding that performance mentioned that, "Jewell's singing, despite nervous uncertainties of pitch, was marked by refinement and mature sympathy".[9] In the following year, a review in the February issue of Musical Advance stated that "... Jewell has a voice of good texture that suffers from faulty breathing, capricious pitch, and a poor sense of rhythm."[10]

Teaching

In 1908, the Musical Courier reported that Jewell, formerly a teacher of singing at the Brenan Conservatory at Gainesville, Georgia, had left Paris for Florence, where she was expected to stay for a long period.[11] In 1921, she opened a studio in Kansas City, Kansas,[6] and later in the decade, served as professor of voice in Converse College, Spartanburg, South Carolina.[12]

By 1928, Jewell had removed to Los Angeles,[12] where she was affiliated with the Motion Picture Extra Girls' Frolic.[1] She lived in the Waldorf Hotel in Venice, California;[2] her studio was located in the Beaux Arts Building, Los Angeles. Having spent twenty years in the musical life of Europe as student and a prima donna, she was equipped to give pupils the discipline and schooling obtained by study with European masters.[5] She was an authority and devotee of bel canto.[5][13]

Charity

Jewell did a great deal of charity work in Italy on behalf of children and orphans who were victims of World War II; she was decorated on several occasions by the Italian government for her efforts in this and similar causes, and for distinguished service in the Italian Red Cross.[5]

Personal life

Jewell died in Venice on July 16, 1936, a victim of a car accident.[2][14]

Awards and honors

Jewell had one of the largest collections of medals, ribbons and other decorations possessed by any musical artist of her era.[5]

References

  1. ^ a b c d "Opera Star. Catherine Newsome Jewell". Evening Vanguard. Venice, California. 16 March 1928. p. 1. Retrieved 18 June 2025 – via Newspapers.com. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  2. ^ a b c d "Knocked down. Catherine Jewell". Daily News. Los Angeles, California. 16 July 1936. p. 3. Retrieved 18 June 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ^ "Marriage Record: Bartholomew. Marriage Records Jan 24, 1882–Sep 24, 1890". familysearch.org. Retrieved 26 June 2025.
  4. ^ "Indiana. Census". familysearch.org. Retrieved 26 June 2025.
  5. ^ a b c d e Who's who in Los Angeles County. C. J. Lang. 1929. p. 288. Retrieved 18 June 2025. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  6. ^ a b "Mrs. Newsome-Jewell to Open Studio in Kansas City in Law Building". The Kansas City Kansan. 7 September 1921. p. 3. Retrieved 18 June 2025 – via Newspapers.com. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  7. ^ "Echo From "20 Years Ago."". The Indianapolis Star. 31 July 1924. p. 4. Retrieved 18 June 2025 – via Newspapers.com. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  8. ^ Mahan, Katherine Hines (1968). Showboats to Soft Shoes: A Century of Musical Development in Columbus, Georgia, 1828-1928. Columbus, Ga. p. 90. Retrieved 18 June 2025.
  9. ^ "Catherine Jewell Sings for Charity". The New York Times. 16 January 1925. p. 15. Retrieved 26 June 2025. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  10. ^ W. V. A. (February 1926). "Gossip". Musical Advance. XII (7). New York: Musical Advance Company: 169. Retrieved 18 June 2025. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  11. ^ "Annoucement". Musical Courier: A Weekly Journal Devoted to Music and the Music Trades. LVII (3). Musical Courier Company: 12. 15 July 1908. Retrieved 18 June 2025.
  12. ^ a b "Scribblers Hear Soloist. Catherine Newsome-Jewell". The Los Angeles Times. 5 October 1928. p. 25. Retrieved 18 June 2025 – via Newspapers.com. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  13. ^ "A Devotee of Bel Canto". Musical Advance. 12 (2). Musical Advance Company: 48. September 1924. Retrieved 26 June 2025. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  14. ^ "Car Hurdles Curb Striking Venice Woman. Catherine N. Jewell". Evening Vanguard. 16 July 1936. p. 1. Retrieved 18 June 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
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