In Memoriam: Martha Deatherage
One of the city’s loveliest voices for many a year will be heard no more. Martha Deatherage, soprano, passed away Monday, May 5, after a three-year battle with leukemia. A Kansan by birth, Deatherage became an Austinite first in the 1950s, when she did her graduate voice work in the UT School of Music, then from 1961 on, when she taught singing as part of the school’s faculty. In between, she launched her singing career starting in St. Louis in 1954, when she sang for a weekly CBS series from the Municipal Opera of St. Louis. Over the next five decades, she sang Tosca with the St. Louis Grand Opera and Fidelio at UCLA, and performed with various symphonies, giving more than 75 concerts. Her true legacy, however, is as a teacher. She spent 41 years at UT, during which time she trained young artists who have since gone on to perform with the Metropolitan Opera in New York and the Bayerische Staatsoper in Munich. She was teaching in the last week of her life and looking forward to next year. Deatherage is survived by two daughters, Ellen Bowman of London and Allison Mundy of McLean, Va., their husbands and children, and her brother, Mitchell Louis Martin, and his wife of San Antonio. A memorial service will be held Thursday, 1pm, at the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd, Exposition Boulevard and Windsor Road. Donations may be made to the UT School of Music Voice and Opera Division. For details, call 471-5496.
UIL State One-Act Applause
Congratulations to Wimberley High School on its showing at this year’s State University Interscholastic League One-Act Play Contest. The WHS Lone Star Theatre‘s production of The History of Tom Jones, based on the novel by Henry Fielding, took Second Runner-Up in the 3A division. Also, Elena Di Traglia was named to the All-Star Cast, and Jon M. Chonko was named to the Honorable Mention All-Star Cast. The students will present one final performance of the award-winning show Friday, May 9, 7pm, at the Wimberley High School Lone Star Theatre, 100 Carney, in Wimberley. Admission by donation, with proceeds to fund theatre scholarships for graduating LST seniors. For more information, call 512/847-5729 x232 or x234.
Austin’s Crockett High School had also advanced to state in the 5A division, where stiff competition kept its production of Over the River and Through the Woods from placing. But the contest judge’s remarks were very complimentary to the students, and two cast members took acting honors. A.J. Ledesma was named to the All-Star Cast, and Adam LeFave was named to the Honorable Mention All-Star Cast. Congratulations
This article appears in May 9 • 2003.