Nadine Conner

Who was Nadine Conner?

Nadine Conner was an American operatic soprano, radio singer and music teacher.

She was born in Compton, California as Evelyn Nadine Henderson, and was the descendent of some of the earliest non-Hispanic settlers in California.

Diagnosed as a teenager with pulmonary disease, her doctor suggested she try studying classical singing to strengthen her lungs, as was customary at the time. Following his instructions, she began studying privately with Hollywood-based tenor, Amado Fernandez, during high school. In a fluke of fate, a great voice and singing talent emerged. Her natural potential revealed, she went on to study more seriously with Horatio Cogswell, and later in New York City with Florence Easton.

She took her stage surname from her first husband, whom she divorced after two years of marriage. She would later marry a general medical practitioner, Dr. Heacock, and Nadine Heacock was the name she used in her private life. She appeared on The Voice of Firestone, on radio with stars such as Bing Crosby and Nelson Eddy, and did a musical tour with Gordon MacRae.

But by the end of 1939, she was embarking on a career in classical opera. She made her professional debut in 1940 as Marguerite in Vladimir Rosing's Los Angeles production of Gounod's Faust. She sang with the Los Angeles Opera from 1939 to 1941. In 1941, she began her career at the Metropolitan Opera, making her debut as Pamina in The Magic Flute.