Alice Tully

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Alice Tully ( September 14, 1902 – December 10, 1993 ) was a singer, music promoter and philanthropist.

Tully began her career as a mezzo-soprano, then became a soprano. She studied in Paris, France and made her debut in 1927 with the Pasdeloup Orchestra. In 1933, she appeared in Cavalleria Rusticana in New York City.

In 1958, Tully inherited the estate of her grandfather, William Houghton, founder of the Corning Glass Works. During the rest of her life, she donated much of her income to arts institutions. Her cousin, Arthur Houghton Jr., one of the founders of the Lincoln Center, suggested that she give money for a chamber music hall, which came to be known as the Alice Tully Hall.

Tully chaired the board of directors of the New York Chamber Music Society, and served on the boards of the New York Philharmonic, the Metropolitan Opera and the Juilliard School.

In 1970, Tully was awarded the Handel Medallion for her contributions to the cultural life of New York City.

William Schuman, Gian-Carlo Menotti and Riccardo Malipiero dedicated works to her.