Lambert Murphy
Encyclopedia
Lambert Murphy was an American
tenor
, born in Springfield
, Massachusetts
. While pursuing an academic course at Harvard University
, he studied singing under T. L. Cushman in Boston
from 1904 to 1908. He graduated from Harvard in 1908 with his younger brother, Ray D. Murphy (1887–1964) (future chairman of the Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States 19xx-1952), where they were both in the Harvard Glee Club
, Harvard Quartet and the Pi Eta Society.
Having filled positions in several important churches in Boston, Brookline
, and Fairhaven
, he went to New York
in 1910 as soloist
of St. Bartholomew's. After further study under Isidore Luckstone, he was engaged (1911) as a member of the Metropolitan Opera
. Murphy made his reputation chiefly as a concert singer, appearing at many of the great festivals.
He was a recording artist for the Victor Talking Machine Company
. One well-known recorded hit was "Smiles" from The Passing Show of 1918
and was popular during World War I. Lambert performed and recorded many duets with baritone Reinald Werrenrath. Mr. Murphy premiered in the tenor solo role in the quartets in Verdi's
Requiem
in Boston (year?). After retiring from active concert work, he gave private voice instruction. During WWII he was a product inspector for the Western Electric Company.
Lambert married Margaret Fraser (year?). They had no children. They resided in Keene
and Munsonville, New Hampshire
, enjoying the outdoors, in particular, hunting and fishing. Lambert died of throat cancer in 1954.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
tenor
Tenor
The tenor is a type of male singing voice and is the highest male voice within the modal register. The typical tenor voice lies between C3, the C one octave below middle C, to the A above middle C in choral music, and up to high C in solo work. The low extreme for tenors is roughly B2...
, born in Springfield
Springfield, Massachusetts
Springfield is the most populous city in Western New England, and the seat of Hampden County, Massachusetts, United States. Springfield sits on the eastern bank of the Connecticut River near its confluence with three rivers; the western Westfield River, the eastern Chicopee River, and the eastern...
, Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
. While pursuing an academic course at Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
, he studied singing under T. L. Cushman in Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
from 1904 to 1908. He graduated from Harvard in 1908 with his younger brother, Ray D. Murphy (1887–1964) (future chairman of the Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States 19xx-1952), where they were both in the Harvard Glee Club
Harvard Glee Club
The Harvard Glee Club is a 60-voice, all-male choral ensemble at Harvard University. Founded in 1858 in the tradition of English and American glee clubs, it is the oldest collegiate chorus in the US. The Glee Club is part of the Holden Choruses of Harvard University, which also include the...
, Harvard Quartet and the Pi Eta Society.
Having filled positions in several important churches in Boston, Brookline
Brookline, Massachusetts
Brookline is a town in Norfolk County, Massachusetts, United States, which borders on the cities of Boston and Newton. As of the 2010 census, the population of the town was 58,732.-Etymology:...
, and Fairhaven
Fairhaven, Massachusetts
Fairhaven is a town in Bristol County, Massachusetts, in the United States. It is located on the south coast of Massachusetts where the Acushnet River flows into Buzzards Bay, an arm of the Atlantic Ocean...
, he went to New York
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
in 1910 as soloist
Solo (music)
In music, a solo is a piece or a section of a piece played or sung by a single performer...
of St. Bartholomew's. After further study under Isidore Luckstone, he was engaged (1911) as a member of the Metropolitan Opera
Metropolitan Opera
The Metropolitan Opera is an opera company, located in New York City. Originally founded in 1880, the company gave its first performance on October 22, 1883. The company is operated by the non-profit Metropolitan Opera Association, with Peter Gelb as general manager...
. Murphy made his reputation chiefly as a concert singer, appearing at many of the great festivals.
He was a recording artist for the Victor Talking Machine Company
Victor Talking Machine Company
The Victor Talking Machine Company was an American corporation, the leading American producer of phonographs and phonograph records and one of the leading phonograph companies in the world at the time. It was headquartered in Camden, New Jersey....
. One well-known recorded hit was "Smiles" from The Passing Show of 1918
The Passing Show of 1918
The Passing Show of 1918 is a Broadway musical revue featuring music of Sigmund Romberg and Jean Schwartz , with book and lyrics by Harold R. Atteridge. The show introduced the hit songs "I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles" and "Smiles"....
and was popular during World War I. Lambert performed and recorded many duets with baritone Reinald Werrenrath. Mr. Murphy premiered in the tenor solo role in the quartets in Verdi's
Giuseppe Verdi
Giuseppe Fortunino Francesco Verdi was an Italian Romantic composer, mainly of opera. He was one of the most influential composers of the 19th century...
Requiem
Requiem (Verdi)
The Messa da Requiem by Giuseppe Verdi is a musical setting of the Roman Catholic funeral mass for four soloists, double choir and orchestra. It was composed in memory of Alessandro Manzoni, an Italian poet and novelist much admired by Verdi. The first performance in San Marco in Milan on 22 May...
in Boston (year?). After retiring from active concert work, he gave private voice instruction. During WWII he was a product inspector for the Western Electric Company.
Lambert married Margaret Fraser (year?). They had no children. They resided in Keene
Keene, New Hampshire
Keene is a city in Cheshire County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 23,409 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Cheshire County.Keene is home to Keene State College and Antioch University New England, and hosts the annual Pumpkin Fest...
and Munsonville, New Hampshire
Nelson, New Hampshire
Nelson is a town in Cheshire County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 729 at the 2010 census. Nelson includes the village of Munsonville.-History:...
, enjoying the outdoors, in particular, hunting and fishing. Lambert died of throat cancer in 1954.
External links
- Discography of Lambert Murphy on Victor RecordsVictor Talking Machine CompanyThe Victor Talking Machine Company was an American corporation, the leading American producer of phonographs and phonograph records and one of the leading phonograph companies in the world at the time. It was headquartered in Camden, New Jersey....
from the Encyclopedic Discography of Victor Recordings (EDVR)