1908-71

American opera singer

Antoine was born in Denver, Colorado and adopted after being orphaned while still a baby. She began to study voice in 1921 at college. She won a scholarship to study at the Curtis Institute and then went to the Julliard School of Music. She was signed by the Metropolitan Opera in 1935 and stayed with them until 1947, although she also sang with the Chicago, San Francisco, Cincinnati and Chautauqua Operas. After retiring from the stage she taught singing at universities and conservatories until her sudden death from heart failure.

She had no interest in finding out about her birth family.

References

Dever, Maria, and Dever, Aileen. Relative Origins: Famous Foster and Adopted People. (Portland: National Book Company, 1992)
Madsen, Andrus. "Josephine Antoine Collection." Available at: http://sibley.esm.rochester.edu/specialc/findaids/antoine.htm

Indexes

USA
20th Century
Education, Teaching, Libraries
Music and Dance
Formal, American/European-Type Adoption
Birth or Infancy
Orphaned (Both Parents)
Adoptee/Fosteree Not Interested in Tracing