Mimi Benzell
Mimi Benzell | |
|---|---|
 Benzell in 1956. | |
| Born | Miriam Ruth Benzell April 6, 1918 |
| Died | December 23, 1970 (aged 52) |
| Occupation(s) | Actress, singer |
| Spouse | Walter Gould (m. 1949) |
| Children | 2 |
| Relatives | Morton Gould (brother-in-law) |
Miriam Ruth "Mimi" Benzell (April 6, 1918 – December 23, 1970) was an American soprano who performed with the Metropolitan Opera before establishing herself as a Broadway musical theatre, television, and nightclub performer.
Life and career
Early life and education
Mimi Benzell was born in
Though Benzell was originally a piano student, she switched over to voice under the instruction of Madame Olga Eisner.[2]
Career
At the age of 20, Benzell made her debut in a Sunday concert in
On March 23, 1956, Benzell starred as the guest soloist in the Hofstra College Symphony Orchestra's final concert of the season at Hofstra University.[5]
In 1961, she appeared in
Director of the Nassau County Office of Performing and Fine Arts
On January 30, 1969, Benzell was appointed by Nassau County Executive Eugene H. Nickerson as the director of the Nassau County Office of Performing and Fine Arts.[11][12][13] A major accomplishment that the Nassau County Office of Performing and Fine Arts made under her direction was the successful coordination of cultural programs in schools across Nassau County.[13]
She served in this capacity until 1970, when she stepped down due to personal reasons.[13]
Despite her resignation as director, she continued to serve as an adviser for the office.[13]
Personal life
Benzell was married to Walter Gould, the brother of American composer
Death and legacy
Benzell died of an undisclosed form of cancer on December 23, 1970, at North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset, New York, at the age of 52.[17][2] Her funeral service was held in Manhattan on December 27.[2]
A small green space on Waring Drive in Flower Hill near her former home is named Miriam Benzell Green in honor of Benzell.[18][19]
References
- ^ "Ancestry Library Edition". www.ancestrylibrary.com.
- ^ a b c d e f g Editors (December 24, 1970) “Mimi Benzell, Entertainer, Dead”, New York Times; retrieved April 7, 2017. NOTE: Wrong age at death.
- ^ ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2020-12-26.
- ^ "Benzell, Mimi" CID 138420 in MetOpera Database; accessed February 10, 2018.
- ^ "Guest Soloist". Newsday. March 15, 1956 – via ProQuest.
- ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2020-12-26.
- ^ Profile, Internet Broadway Database; accessed February 9, 2018.
- ^ a b Lowman, Josephine (April 9, 1962). "Why Grow Old?". Newsday – via ProQuest.
- ^ Patureau, Alan (October 22, 1964). "On the Air or Off Mimi Benzell Likes to Talk". Newsday – via ProQuest.
- ^ "Mimi Benzell". www.rusc.com. Retrieved 2020-12-26.
- ^ "Mimi to Lead the Chorus". Newsday. January 30, 1969 – via ProQuest.
- ^ Seligsohn, Leo (January 31, 1969). "Mimi Says Youth Must Be Served". Newsday – via ProQuest.
- ^ a b c d "Mimi Benzell Quits". Newsday. August 28, 1970 – via ProQuest.
- ^ a b "MIMI BENZELL MARRIED: Soprano Is the Bride of Walter Gould, Concert Manager". The New York Times. July 30, 1949 – via ProQuest.
- ^ a b Gerard, Jane (May 22, 1956). "Mimi's Life a Song of Mire and the Met: Singer Mimi Benzell: LI's Loveliest Mudlark". Newsday – via ProQuest.
- ^ "Daily News from New York, New York on December 24, 1970 · 37". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 2020-11-15.
- ^ Obituary, time.com, January 4, 1971. NOTE: Wrong age at death.
- ^ "Flower Hill Historic Trail – Main Route Guidebook" (PDF). Incorporated Village of Flower Hill, New York. Retrieved 2021-10-21.
- ^ "Miriam Benzell Green · Waring Dr, Flower Hill, NY". Miriam Benzell Green · Waring Dr, Flower Hill, NY. Retrieved 2021-07-14.
External links
- Mimi Benzell scrapbook, 1961–62 (documenting her appearance in Milk and Honey) in the Music Division of the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts.
- Mimi Benzell at IMDb
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Artists | |
| Other | |
