WHITE, PORTIA, 1911-1968
MUS 243

Portia White fonds.  - 1944-1945.  - 25 audio discs. 

Biographical sketch
Portia White, a contralto born in Truro, Nova Scotia, was awarded a grant that enabled her to study at the Halifax Conservatory of Music with Ernesto Vinci.  In the 1940s, she sang at Eaton Auditorium in Toronto, at Town Hall, New York, and in Central and South America.  She then experienced vocal difficulties that compelled her to suspend her career for a number of years.  She resumed voice lessons with Irene Jessner in Toronto, however, and in 1964, even sang before Queen Elizabeth at the Confederation Centre of the Arts in Charlottetown.  She also trained a number of well-known singers including Dinah Christie and Anne Marie Moss. 

Scope and content
The fond contains records pertaining to Portia White's singing career:  sound recordings of concerts given by Portia White in New York (Town Hall) between March 13, 1944, and December 5, 1945, and in Moncton, New Brunswick, on April 25, 1944. 

Immediate source of acquisition:  acquired from Vivian R. White in 1993. 

Restrictions:  none. 

Finding aids:  inventory. 

Associated material:  other material on Portia White is kept by the Ontario Black History Society.