Eva Didur (born 1896), also known as Ewa Didur, was a Polish dramatic soprano singer.
Early life Eva Didur was born in Poland,"Ambitious to be as Great a Singer as Her Father" Indianapolis News (October 28, 1915): 19. via Newspapers.com the daughter of Polish singer Adamo Didur and his first wife, Mexican singer Angela Aranda Arellano. Her younger sisters were Mary Didur-Załuska (1905–1979) and (1900–1963), who were also professional singers.Paul Krzywicki, From Paderewski to Penderecki: The Polish Musician in Philadelphia (2016): 139. Eva Didur studied voice with William ThornerMary Jane Phillips-Matz, Rosa Ponselle: American Diva (UPNE 1997): 71. and Gina Ciaparelli-Viafora.Untitled news item, Musical America (November 29, 1919): 11.
Career
Didur made her concert debut at the Metropolitan Opera House in 1918,"Eva Didur's Debut" Music News (April 12, 1918): 19. a concert in which she "exhibited a fine, powerful powerful soprano and decided dramatic temperament.""Music" The New International Year Book (1919): 427."Eva Didur Wins Throng" New York Times (March 11, 1918): 9. She sang at the Hippodrome with her father in December 1918."Mayo Wadler Delights Hippodrome Audience" Musical Courier (December 1918): 33. She went to Italy in 1919,"Eva Didur's Engagement in Italy" Music News (February 14, 1919): 30. where she sang the part of Mimi in La bohème in Milan.Simon Morrison, Lina and Serge: The Love and Wars of Lina Prokofiev (HMH 2013): 81–82. She was engaged to sing in Trieste during the 1919–1920 opera season."Eva Didur to Sing in Trieste" Musical Courier (July 31, 1919): 8."Eva Didur Wins Triumphs in Trieste" Musical America (December 20, 1919): 11. In 1921, she was back in Milan to sing the part of Marguerite in Mefistofele, under the direction of her godfather, Arturo Toscanini.Untitled news item, Musical Courier (November 24, 1921): 20.
Didur sang at many benefit events during World War I. In 1917, she performed at a concert with pianists Ignacy Jan Paderewski and Zygmunt Stojowski for the Polish Victims War Relief Fund."Raise $5000 for Poles" New York Times (November 26, 1917). She performed with her father at a benefit for the Russian Relief Fund at Carnegie Hall"Other Sunday Benefits" Music News (May 31, 1918): 25. and at another benefit for the Polish Army Hospital in France, at Aeolian Hall, a few weeks later."Another Charitable Concert" Music News (June 7, 1918): 17. In the summer of 1918, she sang the Polish national anthem and other music at a "Polish Night" stadium concert in New York,"'Polish Night' at Stadium Concert" New York Times (June 30, 1918). under the direction of Arnold Volpe,"New York Stadium Concerts" Musical Courier (July 4, 1918): 13. and at a Red Cross benefit concert on Long Island."Red Cross Concert at Long Beach" Musical Courier (July 25, 1918): 34.
Personal life As a young woman, Eva Didur was close friends with silent film actress Dagmar Godowsky.
References