Louise Natale

Louise Natale Wagner, (1918-1992) was a coloratura soprano who was a frequent soloist in choral performances in the 1950's and 60's. Mrs. Wagner, who performed under her maiden name, Louise Natale, was born in Elizabeth, N.J. In the 1950's, she toured nationally as a soloist with the Robert Shaw Chorale and performed with Mr. Shaw at Carnegie Hall. She also sang with the New York Philharmonic, the Metropolitan Opera and the NBC Symphony. In 1976, Mrs. Wagner founded the Light Opera Theater of New Jersey. For 26 consecutive years she sang Jaromir Weinberger's Solo Cantata for High Voice with Organ, "The Way To Emmaus" at the Riverside Church in New York with organist Frederick Swann as part of the Easter Sunday afternoon all-music service.