Mitchell, Marion (1876–1955)

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Mitchell, Marion (1876–1955)

New Zealand singer and political hostess. Name variations: Marion Davis. Born Oct 19, 1876, in Wellington, New Zealand; died May 5, 1955, in Auckland; dau. of Walter Mitchell (bootmaker and amateur musician) and Fanny Maria Wheatland (Waters) Mitchell; m. Ernest Hyam Davis (brewer and mayor), 1899; children: 1 daughter, 1 son.

Made professional singing debut at 14, in Tom Pollard's juvenile opera company (1891); became overnight success, and mastered wide repertoire of light and comic operatic roles; retired from company to raise family and became involved in several civic and charitable activities when husband became mayor of Auckland (1935).

See also Dictionary of New Zealand Biography (Vol. 2).

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Mitchell, Marion (1876–1955)

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