Juch, Emma (1860–1939)

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Juch, Emma (1860–1939)

American operatic singer. Born Emma Johanna Antonia Juch, July 4, 1860, in Vienna, Austria; died Mar 6, 1939, in New York, NY; dau. of Justin Juch (musician and artist) and Augusta Hahn; m. Francis Lewis Wellman (lawyer), June 25, 1894 (div. 1911).

Made operatic debut in Mignon in London (1881); sang 3 seasons at New York Academy of Music (1881–83); was 1st singer to be engaged for American Opera Co. (1886), which was reorganized as National Opera Co. the following season; established Emma Juch Grand English Opera Co. (1889), which toured US, Canada, and Mexico for 2 seasons; was 1 of the 1st singers recorded by Victor Talking Machine Co.; sang as Gilda (Rigoletto), Queen of the Night (The Magic Flute), Marguerite (Faust), Elsa (Lohengrin) and Senta (The Flying Dutchman).