Opera Scotland

Maud Neilson Suggest updates

Born Glasgow.

Died Chesham, Bucks. 23 January 1976.

Scottish soprano.

Press reviews frequently spell first name as Maude. It may be that she adopted this form professionally.  However a probable signature, and her formal death notice, both omit the 'e'.

 

Neilson was a leading coloratura soprano with Carl Rosa for four years 1922-5. Her repertoire included Mozart (Susanna); Beethoven (Marzelline); Balfe (Arline); Thomas (Philine); Wallace (Maritana);  Verdi (Gilda, Violetta, Oscar, Priestess Aïda); Gounod (Marguerite, Juliette); Offenbach (Olympia); Bizet (Micaëla); Gatty (Princess Prince Ferelon).

The Dundee Courier of 28 July 1927 reported that she had been engaged for an Italian opera tour including Sicily, Naples and Venice.

Neilson also made early radio broadcasts, at a time when opera was considered a more significant part of popular culture.

Maud Neilson spent some early years at her father's ranch in British Columbia (Canada).

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