Monte Amundsen

Monte Amundsen (January 15, 1930 – December 24, 2011)[1] was an American opera and musical singer who appeared on Broadway in Marc Blitzstein's musical Juno in 1959, which starred Shirley Booth.

Not to be confused with Monti Amundson.
Monte Amundsen
Born(1930-01-15)January 15, 1930
DiedDecember 24, 2011(2011-12-24) (aged 81)
Tampa, Florida, U.S.
OccupationSinger, entertainer
Spouse(s)Tommy Rall (c. 1959–19??; divorced)
Giorgio Tozzi
(c. 1967-2011; his death); 2 children

Biography

Composer Marc Blitzstein was reportedly so delighted with Amundsen that he expanded her role in Juno (musical) to include three major songs: I Wish It So, For Love, and My True Heart, as well as a duet with Shirley Booth, The Bird Upon The Tree. The show was not a success, but Amundsen's well-received performance is preserved on the original cast recording. In 1964 she appeared in another ill-fated musical, Cafe Crown, which ran for 30 performances in previews before closing after just three performances after its official opening.

Amundsen also made many appearances at The Muny in St. Louis, including Rosabella in The Most Happy Fella (1969); Marie Esterhazy in Blossom Time (1966); Gretel in Hansel & Gretel (1966); Barbara in Milk and Honey (1964); Anna Belle in Robin Hood (1961); Resi in The Great Waltz (1961) and Gretchen in The Red Mill (1960). In 1958 she made her debut at the New York City Opera as Adele in Die Fledermaus.[2] She also sang several roles with the Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera during the 1950s and 1960s.

Personal life

She was briefly married to dancer Tommy Rall[3] and later married opera star Giorgio Tozzi in 1967, with whom she had two children, Jennifer and Eric. She was widowed seven months before her own death.[4]

References
  1. United States Social Security Death Index (Provo, UT: Ancestry.com Operations Inc.), 2011.
  2. Edward Downes (October 20, 1958). "Monte Amundsen Scores In Opera Debut" (PDF). The New York Times.
  3. John Vacha, The music went 'round and around: the story of Musicarnival, Kent State University Press, 2004, pp. 60-61; ISBN 0-87338-798-8
  4. Daniel Cariaga. "Tozzi: At Home in a House of Music", Los Angeles Times, May 28, 1985.

Sources
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