Ruby Mercer
Canadian singer, writer and broadcaster

Ruby Mercer

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Canadian singer, writer and broadcaster
Gender:
Female
Places:
Canada
Is:
SingerJournalistWriterOpera singerBiographerMusic journalist
Work field:
JournalismLiteratureScienceMusic
Birth:
26 July 1906(Athens)
Death:
26 January 1999(Toronto)
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Biography

Introduction

Ruby Mercer, CM (b. Athens OH, 26 July 1906, d. Toronto ON, 26 January 1999) was a writer, broadcaster, soprano and entrepreneur.
Mercer founded Opera Canada, a periodical for which she served as editor from 1960 to 1990. She also founded the Canadian Children's Opera Chorus, and served as its first president. She was host of CBC Radio's weekly show Opera Time from 1962 to 1979, as well as its successor Opera In Stereo from 1979 to 1984.
She became a member of the Order of Canada in 1995.

Awards and honours

  • BA (Ohio) 1927, B MUS (Cincinnati) 1930, honorary D MUS (Ohio) 1978, honorary LLD (U of T) 1995.
  • Walter W. Naumburg Foundation award (1934)
  • Canadian Music Council medal (1983)
  • Toronto Arts lifetime achievement award (1988)
  • Order of Canada (1995)

Writing

  • The Tenor of His Time (Toronto, 1976), a biography of Edward Johnson
  • The Quilicos - Louis, Gino and Lina (Oakville, Ontario, 1990)
  • Articles to EMC, Musical America, and Opera News
  • Columns and reviews for Opera Canada