Lenoir friends and relatives will be interested in the very remarkable career of Miss Gertrude Courtney, who is now and has been for some time studying music in Paris. Miss Courtney is the third daughter of Mrs. M.M. Courtney, and a very attractive young woman.
Miss Courtney is a graduate of Davenport College, Lenoir, and also of Converse College, Spartanburg, S.C. When she first began studying vocal music attention was attracted to her on account of the largeness of her voice. Special attention was given to her by the teachers and professors, and while at Converse College she appeared as soloist in the annual music festivals, and has distinction of being the first amateur to appear in opera with the metropolitan stars.
Miss Courtney studied in New York City for several seasons with some of the best musical talent. In June of last year she went to Paris as a representative of North Carolina, having received an appointment from Gov. Morrison to share in the scholarship offered by the French government. There she studied at the American Conservatory at Fountainebleu. The Castle of Fountainbleu is the historical castle of Napoleon and Josephine and is a very interesting place itself.
In September Miss Courtney appeared as Marguerite in the opera “Faust” and was awarded first prize over quite a number of prominent singers. During her stay in Paris she has been entertained extensively in the private homes of the music-lovers and has sung at a number of social functions.
Miss Courtney has not made her plans for the future, but expects to return to the States within the next year, and will likely devote her talented voice to concert and oratorio work. She has a dramatic voice with rare power and sweetness.
Miss Courtney recently appeared in concert with the Paris orchestra and received quite an ovation.
From the front page of the Lenoir News-Times, Thursday, Feb. 15, 1923
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