Dessoff, Margarethe (1874–1944)

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Dessoff, Margarethe (1874–1944)

Austrian-born choir director. Name variations: Margarete Dessoff. Born 1874 in Vienna, Austria; died 1944; dau. of Otto Dessoff (conductor of the Frankfurt Opera and Vienna Philharmonic).

Conducted 1st public appearance of a woman's chorus (1912); came to US (1919); with Angela Diller, co-founded Adesdi Chorus of women's voices (1924) and A Capella Chorus of mixed voices (1929), which later merged into Dessoff Choirs; directed the choirs in NY (1925–35), pioneering performances of choral works from the pre-Baroque era to the 20th century.

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