Marie Sidenius Zendt (1882 – June 5, 1968) was a Swedish-born American soprano, based in Chicago, Illinois.
Early life Marie Hedvig Sidenius was born in Vislanda, Småland, Sweden, the daughter of D. Godard Sidenius and Betty Pauline Ibsen Sidenius. Her mother's family were Danish. Her father was an inspector at a saw mill in Sweden."Zendt an Ambitious Artist" Musical Courier (December 18, 1919): 47. She moved to Elgin, Illinois with her parents when she was a small child."Soprano to be Honored at Musicale" Arizona Republicans (January 15, 1928): 41. via Newspapers.com
Career Zendt maintained a year-round"Marie Sidenius Zendt in Demand" Musical Courier (December 14, 1922): 14. busy"Not Much Let-up for Marie Zendt" Musical Courier (July 20, 1922): 37. touring schedule of concerts and recitals,"Marie Sidenius Zendt" Music News (March 10, 1922): 14. focused in the American midwest, but with performances in New York City, Philadelphia, and Washington D. C. as well."Marie Zendt" Music News (January 13, 1922): 27. In 1920, she toured Alaska giving concerts.M. A. MacLeod, "Marie Zendt Takes Music to Alaska on Summer Tour" Musical America (June 4, 1921): 31.Adrian Scolten, "Even Eskimos Loved Songs of Marie Zendt" Capital Times (January 2, 1924): 1571. via Newspapers.com A reviewer in 1922 described her as "among the Chicago singers who are doing big things.""Marie Sidenius Zendt" Musical Courier (December 7, 1922): 44. In 1932, she toured in Scandinavia. In 1935, she was the soloist at the United Swedish Singers' celebration of the 125th anniversary of the birth of Jenny Lind.Untitled news item, Chicago Tribune (October 20, 1935): 63. via Newspapers.com
She was on faculty at the American Conservatory of Music in Chicago."American Conservatory Notes" Music News (February 3, 1922): 27. She also performed live concerts on radio."Broadcasting Some Good Music" Music News (March 3, 1922): 10."Marie Zendt and Arthur Kraft in Special Radio Concert" Musical Courier (August 3, 1922): 28. In 1963, there was a luncheon at the Chicagoland Music Festival honoring Marie Sidenius Zendt for more than fifty years of active participation in the arts in Chicago.Philip Maxwell, "Marie Zendt to be Honored by Festival for 50 Years of Chicago Cultural Activity" Chicago Tribune (April 21, 1963): 8. via Newspapers.com
Personal life Marie Sidenius married businessman George Zendt in 1901. They were still married 67 years later when Marie Sidenius Zendt died in 1968, aged 86 years."Marie Zendt, Noted Singer, Dies at 86" Chicago Tribune (June 6, 1968): 71. via Newspapers.com
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