Grace Van Studdiford

Grace Van Studdiford (née Quivey; January 8, 1873 – January 29, 1927) was an early twentieth-century American opera singer and actress. She never recorded for gramophone but made a few motion pictures. Her Broadway roles are limited as she toured all over the country.

Grace Van Studdiford
Born
Grace Quivey

(1873-01-08)January 8, 1873
North Manchester, Indiana
DiedJanuary 29, 1927(1927-01-29) (aged 54)
Ft. Wayne, Indiana[1]
Other namesGrace Studdiford
Grace Studiford
OccupationActress, singer
Years active1890s–1920s
Spouse(s)Charles Van Studdiford (1897–1908)

Early life

Grace Quivey was born in North Manchester, Indiana to Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Quivey. She had three siblings Maude, Ralph and Mary.[2] She made her first appearance on the stage in Chicago in The Black Hussar. In 1899 she toured with Jefferson De Angelis in The Jolly Musketeer.[3] After her tour with De Angelis she started to perform opera and on October 24, 1900 appeared at the Metropolitan Opera House in the title role of Martha. She also appeared there as Michaela in Carmen, Marguerite in Faust, Fleur-de-Lys in Esmerelda, Josephine in H.M.S. Pinafore and Leonora in Il trovatore.[4]

Stardom

In 1903 Van Studdiford opened the opera Maid Marian and later debuted The Red Feather which was specially written for her. This opera also boasted some of the most elaborate costumes up to that date. She played in and toured The Red Feather for two years. After touring with The Red Feather, Van Studdiford chose her next title part in the opera Lady Teazle which was not performed on Broadway but at several popular music halls throughout the country. In July 1908 she was back on Broadway in The Mimic World. In October 1908 she was at New York's Broadway Theater as Ilma Walden in The Golden Butterfly and toured this opera into 1909. 1910 found Van Studdiford in the popular opera The Bohemian Girl in the part of Arline. In late 1910 she toured in A Bridal Trip before bringing it to Broadway's Herald Square Theater in January 1911 under the name The Paradise of Mahomet.[5] In 1911 she appeared at the Winter Garden Theatre in La Belle Paree as Mimi and later toured in A Bridal Trip now renamed The Paradise of Mahomet. In 1914 Van Studdiford toured the US in Oh! Oh! Delphine playing the title character. Her last recorded performance in an opera or play is in the musical comedy A Trip to Chinatown as Mrs Guyer. In this play Van Studdiford toured many military camps as World War I wound to a finish.[6] This musical was later made into a 1926 silent movie by Fox Studios.[7] After her last stage credit in 1918, she appeared in a small number of silent films using the name Grace Studiford and Grace Studdiford, her last film credit being in 1921.

in 1909

Grace Van Studdiford Amusement Company

In 1908 Van Studdiford and Charles Bradley partnered to form a production company in her name. This was seemingly for the sole purpose of producing the opera she performed in that season The Golden Butterfly. The venture didn't last long as they were sued in 1909 by a Joseph Weber for back wages.[8]

Personal life

She married Charles Van Studdiford in 1897. In 1908 she sued for divorce for desertion.[9] She died at Fort Wayne, Indiana on January 29, 1927 after an operation.[10]

Filmography
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References
  1. Buffalo Courier Express, Sunday January 30, 1927; OPERA SINGER DIES SUDDENLY(2nd column from right)
  2. North Manchester Historical Society ; newsletter, November 1986
  3. Who Was Who in the Theatre 1912-1976 vol.4 Q-Z p.2440 originally published annually by John Parker/ c.1976, Gale Research
  4. Parker, article on Grace Van Studdiford
  5. PICTORIAL HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN THEATRE 1860-1985 by Daniel Blum c. 1986 page 127
  6. Parker, article on Grace Van Studdiford
  7. A Trip to Chinatown(1926) silentera.com
  8. New York Times SUES GRACE VAN STUDDIFORD.; Joseph M. Weber Asks $1,050 for Booking Op...(Saturday November 13, 1909)
  9. New York Times GRACE VAN STUDDIFORD SUES.;Comic Opera Star Seeks Divorce,...(Sunday August 22, 1909)
  10. New York Times:EX PRIMA DONNA OF OPERA DEAD:Grace Van Studdiford, Who Sang at the Metropolitan Succumbs to Operation. CAME OF MUSICAL FAMILY Scored a Great Success in "The Red Feather",Which Was Written for Her (New York Times dated Sunday January 30, 1927)
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