Born: August 30, 1904 (Clay, Tennessee)

Died: 2009 (Santa Barbara, California

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Lura Stover (Dolas), soprano, was a winner of the 1941 Walter W. Naumburg Competition. Also winning that year were the pianist William Kapell and violinist Robert Mann. She made her NY debut in Town Hall, New York, NY on January 26, 1942, establishing her as a promising American soprano of that era.

In March of 1943, she performed the role of the Countess in the Nine O'Clock Opera Company's production of The Marriage of Figaro in Washington, D.C.'s Constitution Hall sharing the stage with Helen Van Mpon as Susanna and Vera Weiki as Cherubino. In the 1940's she also performed major soprano roles in Boston Opera's seasons including in Aida. She also performed with the Cleveland Symphony Orchestra and Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Eugene Ysaye.

Later in life she devoted herself to teaching and vocal coaching in Santa Barbara, California.

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Excerpt from The New York Times review, January 27, 1942

Lura Stover, Singer, Gives Debut Recital

Soprano, a Naumburg Award Winner, Heard in Town Hall

"The Walter W. Naumburg Musical Foundation, which makes annual awards to young musicians in the form of New York debut recitals, has a high average in picking its winners. Lura Stover, who appeared in Town Hall yesterday, is a Naumburg winner who helps bear out this contention. She is a soprano of poised talent, and her knowledge and taste bespeak more experinence than most newcommers possess.

She is a soprano of poised talent, and her knowledge and taste bespeak more experience than most newcomers possess...voice is wide in range. The upper tones are full and free, like a lyric soprano's, the lower tones are darkly colored, like a mezzo-soprano voice...the young soprano has uncommon perception and, in addition, she has been prepared with comprehension. Thus she could range over a fine and varied program, beginning with Elizabethan songs and moving through Wolf, other Lieder, Debussy and a final American group with a command of different styles and epochs. She could be light and graceful, intense and poetic, colorful and humorous.. Miss Stover has the voice and intelligence to go places." H. T.

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Recording from the 1950s featuring Lura Stover, soprano