Born: September 11, 1905, Camden, South Carolina

Died: March 15, 1994, New Haven, Connecticut

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Benjamin De Loache, baritone, was born in Camden, SC in 1905. He studied voice at Curtis and later studied with the great Russian bass, Chaliapin. He made his singing debut in 1928 with the Philadelphia Orchestra under Leopold Stokowski. He later made more than 30 solo appearances with Stokowski, including a leading role in the American premiere of Alban Berg's "Wozzeck." De Loache participated in the premiere recording of Arnold Schoenberg's Guerre-Lieder with the Philadelphia Orchestra conducted by Leopold Stokowski, and recorded during live performances at the Metropolitan Opera Philadelphia, in two distinct versions with the same personnel, on April 9 and 11, 1932. He also participated in the premiere performance (1932) and recording of Edgar Alle Poe's The Raven with music by Arcady Dubensky with the Philadelphia Orchestra and Maestro Stokowski.

In 1935 he was a Naumburg winner and following his New York debut in Town Hall, performed regularly throughout the world, both as a recitalist and as a soloist with orchestras. In addition to Leopold Stokowski, conductors he performed with included Sir Thomas Beecham, Robert Shaw and Paul Hindemith.

In 1941, Mr. De Loache was a vocalist with the Naumburg Orchestral Concerts, in the Naumburg Bandshell, Central Park (NY) summer series.

Mr. De Loache began teaching on the 1940s at the Henry Street Settlement in Manhattan. From 1953 to 1974 he taught at the Yale School of Music earning the title of professor emeritus of voice when he retired. He maintained private studios in New York and New Haven.

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Baritone Benjamin De Loache, who taught for many years at the Yale School of Music, singing for soldiers, accompanied by a Victory Vertical. Steinway & Sons Photo Collection / San Diego Air and Space Museum Archive