American Soprano Elizabeth Wheeler ~ Two Love Songs (1909-10)

Soprano Elizabeth Wheeler / Love Song ~ Chanson d'amour (Hollman) / Good-bye (Tosti) / Recorded: November 10, 1909 & January 24, 1910 --

Jim Walsh of Hobbies Magazine in 1961 described Elizabeth Wheeler and William Wheeler as "the most successful husband and wife duet pair in the history of the phonograph." She was born Bess Nicholson in Kokomo, Indiana, in 1875; he was born in Shawano, Wisconsin in 1879. They married in 1904, and performed widely, doing standard ballads, light opera, and hymns. Mr. Wheeler made some solo recordings for Leeds & Caitlin, Edison and others, and then the two began their duet recordings in 1910, for Victor. "Beautiful Isle of Somewhere" was an early hit, though it did not reach the 1917 Victor catalog, where there were 17 other titles by the pair. Their final Victor recording was the most popular one, "What a Friend We have in Jesus." Mrs. Wheeler made many solo Victors beginning in 1909; she sang ballads and children's songs, and also "Elizabeth's Prayer" from Tannhauser. William Wheeler did some solo work for Pathe. They did not record after the acoustic period, and "What a Friend" was the only one of their titles to reach the 1927 Victor catalog. Elizabeth Wheeler died in 1971; William Wheeler died in 1967. (From "The Encyclopedia of Recorded Sound in the United States" / edited by Guy A. Marco / Garland Publishing, Inc. - 1993)

******************************

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Wheeler
• Love
• 01

[meltzerboy]

The first song is beautifully performed by Mme Wheeler. On the other hand, the more familiar, sentimental Tosti song suffers in comparison to Melba's towering performances (especially the later one), as well as Caruso's recording and those of Ponselle and McCormack. If I had never heard these versions, however, I would praise Wheeler's effort more. I wonder what Clara Butt might have done with it! Thanks, Doug, for single-handedly perpetuating the vocal memory of the gifted Elizabeth Wheeler.

[CurzonRoad]

@meltzerboy

Season's Greetings Nate: And thank you for commenting on the all-but-forgotten Elizabeth Wheeler. While perhaps not a star like the artists you have listed, there's a clean, sweet, simple charm that touches her many, many recordings. Best. Doug --

[SuperLuckydream]

Very enchanting! Thank you so much for sharing all your wonderful videos, dear Doug.

[AulicExclusiva]

More beautiful singing from Elizabeth Wheeler, a most expressive artist. While I agree that Melba's 'Good-bye' was quite something, Wheeler's simple lyricism makes a touching effect of its own. Her voice and style are absolutely first rate.

[eclecticdufus]

She reveals a technique quite a good way better than many well-known opera singers today. Probably not a large voice but her pure command of the tops is born of a technque and method which has apparently been lost a century on. Some of the best singing on Victor seems to have been in those lower price categories not just on Red Seal. 

[HerAeolianHarp]

Thank you, Doug, for gracing us all with your fine music and inspiration.I feel as if I'm opening up an elegant jewel box every time I hit "play" on one of your uploads. :)

[gmmix]

Very nice recording and a good transfer to YouTube. In the 1950's, Jim Walsh and I used to correspond. Until 3 years ago, when a terrible water leak ruined so much in storage, I had all the Hobbies magazines with his columns. Someone talked of putting all his columns into some sort of printed form but I don't think it happened.

[EdmundStAustell]

Lovely! A very nice voice; very much of the period, and she sings beautifully!

[MrSkylark1]

Lovely singing