Amanda Christina Elizabeth Aldridge

Amanda Christina Elizabeth Aldridge (Amanda Ira Aldridge), (1866–1956), was a British opera singer, teacher and composer, under the pseudonym of Montague Ring.

Life

Amanda Aldridge was born March 10, 1866 in Upper Norwood, London, the third child of black Shakespearian actor Ira Frederick Aldridge and his second wife, the Swedish countess Amanda Von Brandt. Aldridge studied voice under Jenny Lind and Sir George Henschel at the Royal College of Music in London, and harmony and counterpoint with Frederick Bridge and Frances Edward Gladstone.

After completing her studies, Aldridge worked as a concert singer, piano accompanist, and voice teacher. A throat condition ended her concert appearances, and she turned to teaching and published about thirty songs between the years 1907 and 1925 in a romantic parlor style, as well as instrumental music in other styles. Notable students include Roland Hayes, Marian Anderson, and Paul Robeson. At the age of eighty-eight, Aldridge made her first television appearance in the British show Music For You where Muriel Smith sang Montague Ring's "Little Southern Love Song." After a short illness, she died on March 9, 1956.^[1]

Works

Selected works include:

• "An Assyrian Love Song," words by F. G. Bowles. London: Elkin & Co., 1921.
• "Azalea," words and music by M. Ring. London: Ascherberg, Hopwood & Crew, 1907.
• "Blue Days of June," words by F. E. Weatherly. London: Chappell & Co., 1915.
• "The Bride," words by P. J. O'Reilly. London: Chappell & Co., 1910.
• "The Fickle Songster," words by H. Simpson. London: Cary & Co., 1908.
• "Little Brown Messenger," words by F. G. Bowles. London: G. Ricordi & Co., 1912.
• "Little Missie Cakewalk," words by Talbot Owen; banjo accompaniment by Clifford Essex. London: Lublin & Co., 1908.
• "Little Rose in My Hair," words by E. Price-Evans. London: Chappell & Co., 1917.
• "Two Little Southern Songs. 1. Kentucky Love song 2. June in Kentucky," words by F. G. Bowles. London: Chappell & Co., 1912.
• "Love's Golden Day," words by E. Price-Evans. London: Chappell & Co., 1917.
• "Miss Magnolia Brown," words and music by M. Ring. London: Francis, Day & Hunter, 1907.
• "My Dreamy, Creamy, Coloured Girl," words and music by M. Ring. London: Ascherberg, Hopwood & Crew, 1907.
• "My Little Corncrake Coon," words by Talbot Owen. London: Lublin & Co., 1908.
• "Simple Wisdom," words by H. Simpson. London: Lublin & Co., 1908.
• "A Song of Spring," words by P. J. O'Reilly. London and New York: Boosey & Co., 1909.
• "Summah is de Lovin' Time. A Summer Night," words by P. L. Dunbar. London: Chappell & Co., 1925.
• "A Summer Love Song," words by I. R. A. London and New York: Boosey & Co., 1907.
• "Supplication," words by P. J. O'Reilly. London: Leonard & Co., 1914.
• "Through the Day. Three Songs. 1. Morning 2. Noon 3. Evening," words by P. J. O'Reilly. London and New York: Boosey & Co., 1910.
• "'Tis Morning," words by P. L. Dunbar. London: Elkin & Co., 1925.
• "When the Coloured Lady Saunters Down the Street," words and music by M. Ring. London: Ascherberg, Hopwood & Crew, 1907.
• "Where the Paw-Paw Grows," words by Henry E. Downing. London: Ascherberg, Hopwood & Crew, 1907.^[1]

References

External links

• Northwestern University Libaray Alridge Collection