Corinne Morgan

Corinne Morgan (16 February 1876[1] – March 23, 1942) was the stage name of Corinne (or Cora) Welsh. She was a contralto singer and pioneer recording artist who recorded popular songs in the early years of the twentieth century and was best known for her duets with Frank Stanley.[2] Some sources misspell her name as Corrine.[3]

Morgan, around 1911, from Edison Phonograph Monthly (UK)

She was born at Commercial Point, Ohio, the daughter of John C. Welsh, a farmer, and later moved to New York City.[1] In 1902, she started recording for the major cylinder recording companies of the day, including Edison and Columbia, although after 1904 most of her recordings were for Victor Records.[3] She was one of the first female singers to record regularly, and mainly recorded sentimental rather than comic songs.[4] Her successful duets with Frank Stanley included "It's a Lovely Day for a Walk" (1903), "Listen to the Mocking Bird" (1904), and "When You and I Were Young, Maggie" (1905). She also recorded with the Haydn Quartet on "Toyland" (from the operetta Babes In Toyland, 1904), "Dearie" (1905) and "How'd You Like to Spoon with Me?" (1906). Her solo recordings included "So Long, Mary" (1906), and "Lullaby" (1907).[3]

She does not seem to have recorded after 1909,[5] but worked as a professional singer until at least 1919.[1] Most sources give her year of death as 1945,[2][3] although March 23, 1942 has also been suggested.[6]

Find a Grave lists a Corinne Welch DuMont, who matches the date of birth in this article and her passport application. The NYC Municipal Death Index supports the date of death from 1942 and verifies other facts of her life.