Ruby Mercer

Ruby Mercer CM (26 July 1906 – 26 January 1999) was an American-born Canadian author, radio host, and soprano.[1][2]

Mercer was born in Athens, Ohio. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1927 from Ohio University and a Bachelor of Music degree from Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music in 1930.[3] In 1936, she made her debut as a member of the Metropolitan Opera, portraying Nedda in Pagliacci.[4] She married Hungarian-Canadian businessman Geza Por and moved to Toronto in 1958.[5]

She founded Opera Canada, a periodical for which she served as editor from 1960 to 1990.[2][6][1] She also founded the Canadian Children's Opera Chorus[6][1] 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.[1][2]

She became a member of the Order of Canada in 1995.[6]

Awards and honours

Writing

Citations

  1. ^ a b c d Jean, Stéphane (December 8, 1997). "Ruby Mercer fonds". Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 2026-02-01.
  2. ^ a b c "Ruby Mercer collection". Discover Archives. Retrieved 2026-02-01.
  3. ^ a b "Ruby Mercer | 1934 Vocal First Prize Winner". Walter W. Naumburg Foundation. Retrieved 2026-02-01.
  4. ^ "Array of Vocalists Sings for Serenade". The Times. Shreveport, Louisiana. February 15, 1941. p. 2. Retrieved February 14, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ^ So, Joseph (2025-12-02). "Ruby Mercer remembered". University of Toronto Libraries. Retrieved 2026-02-01.
  6. ^ a b c d "Mrs. Ruby Mercer". The Governor General of Canada. Archived from the original on 2025-08-08. Retrieved 2026-02-01.
  7. ^ "List of Honorary Degree Recipients - Chronological Order". University of Toronto. Retrieved 2026-02-01.
  8. ^ King, Betty Nygaard (July 30, 2007). "Ruby Mercer". The Canadian Encyclopedia. Retrieved 2026-02-01.
  9. ^ Forbes, Elizabeth (1999-02-11). "Obituary: Ruby Mercer". The Independent. Retrieved 2026-02-01.
  10. ^ Bell, Angie (2020-11-11). "Edward Johnson, Rubies 2020--The Tenor of His Time". Opera Canada. Retrieved 2026-02-01.
  11. ^ Robertson, Gary (October 1991). "THE QUILICOS, LOUIS, GINO AND UNA: AN OPERATIC FAMILY". Canadian Review of Materials. Retrieved 2026-02-01.
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