She Sang Like a Man: Ruby Helder
A young English woman with the voice of a man became a famous tenor.
Ruby Helder was born in the UK in March 1890. As a young child she showed signs of a musical talent and her parents encouraged her to learn the piano and sing. She displayed a natural singing talent and had a deep tone.
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Her school principal William Cummings realised she had the natural voice of a baritone and it was discovered that she was born with a male larynx (voice box) and vocal cords, (the male larynx is approximately 20 percent larger than the female larynx).
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She was a small female with a big voice, when seen on stage her audience would have expected a high pitched soprano style voice, however they were in awe of the deep male baritone, this gradually developed into the tenor voice she became famous for.
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She was encouraged to sing around the world, vast sums of money were paid just to have her perform, Mrs August Belmont the financial head of the opera house, The New York Met payed a approximately an amazing $10,000 for her to sing for friends in her home, that was the start of her career with the operatic stars.
The war in 1914 took over her singing career as concerts were restricted, Ruby was, however asked to sing the song called ‘Courage’, this was to uplift Great Britain during hard times.
She decided to renew her career in the United States of America, after the war and married an artist Chesley Bonestell, Ruby died in Hollywood in 1938.
This is a recording of her voice, bear with the music as it crackles for a little while, you will then hear the voice of a young woman, who had she not become famous, could have been declared a freak of nature.
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34 Comments
papaleng, posted this comment on Mar 15th, 2009
a great article and an amazing woman. got so surprised by her voice.
BC Doan, posted this comment on Mar 15th, 2009
If I heard this on the radio, I would think it’s a man’s voice..great article
Christine Ramsay, posted this comment on Mar 15th, 2009
Gosh! What a voice! It is unbelievable. A good article,Glynis.
Christine
R J Evans, posted this comment on Mar 15th, 2009
Great article about someone amazing who should not be forgotten!
Anne McNew, posted this comment on Mar 15th, 2009
Thanks for sharing this post.
L Dalton, posted this comment on Mar 15th, 2009
This was very interesting and well presented.
She might have had a career as a baritone, if they had used her as a male singer?
Anne Lyken Garner, posted this comment on Mar 15th, 2009
I’d never heard of her, so thanks for the Youtube link. Yes, the voice *does* sound like that of a man.
You probably want to edit ‘payed’ for ‘paid.’
payge, posted this comment on Mar 15th, 2009
Untill now,I had never heard of this singer.Thanks to you,I learned something today.If I had not heard it,I would have never beileved a woman could sing like a man.Very interesting and well presented.
Joni Keith, posted this comment on Mar 15th, 2009
This was a great article to share. Being different shouldn’t be seen as a freakish thing. Maybe if more people accepted difference and embraced it, this world would be a better place.
Kate Smedley, posted this comment on Mar 15th, 2009
I’d not heard of her either, thanks for sharing this. What an unusual voice.
R J Evans, posted this comment on Mar 15th, 2009
Just had to blog this! You can find it at:
http://www.webphemera.com/2009/03/she-sang-like-man-ruby-helder.html
Thanks, Glynis!
Timothy P Stavert, posted this comment on Mar 15th, 2009
Very interesting Glynis.
Its amazing what people pay to listen to people offering something different.
Well Done and kind regards
Tim
maranatha, posted this comment on Mar 15th, 2009
She was new to me as well. Enjoyes this very much, as I am a singer too. Thank you!
The Quail, posted this comment on Mar 15th, 2009
A very amazing woman.
Debra., posted this comment on Mar 15th, 2009
A very interesting woman!
PR Mace, posted this comment on Mar 15th, 2009
That was an amazing story. I would have loved to hear her voice but it did not come up.
Ruby Hawk, posted this comment on Mar 15th, 2009
I don’t remember that I ever heard of her.She does have a strange voice. Wonderful story too.
Mark Gordon Brown, posted this comment on Mar 15th, 2009
Great Link, I must admit the drawing of the voice box startled me at first, but thats probably because I am just tired. lol.
I love people whose voices do not sound “normal” we have far too many “normal” sounding people.
Klaos Nomi (spelling?) was a man who could sing EXACTLY like a woman. I have many recordings by him.
B Nelson, posted this comment on Mar 15th, 2009
We have dial up internet so couldnt work the voice thing, but well written and interesting link none the less. Lucky for her she found success rather than ridicule.
Mr Ghaz, posted this comment on Mar 15th, 2009
Great work! nicely done. Thanx 4 sharing
Nosa, posted this comment on Mar 16th, 2009
Unusual but suprisingly brilliant.
Moses Ingram, posted this comment on Mar 16th, 2009
I love reading this sort of article. Thank you.
Fegger, posted this comment on Mar 16th, 2009
Oh my–that’s disconcerting…she makes me sound rather feminine…yikes!
George W Whitehead, posted this comment on Mar 18th, 2009
This has amazed me Glynis. I thought I knew everything about everything but I have to confess, I have never heard of Ruby.
Excellent research and excellent article.
MMV Abad, posted this comment on Mar 20th, 2009
She is amazing. I am always interested in singers. Great work on this.
clay hurtubise, posted this comment on Mar 21st, 2009
Great article on a fascinating woman.
Thanks,
Clay
Lauren Axelrod, posted this comment on Mar 21st, 2009
Wow, someone I have never heard of, but I love the voice.
S Air, posted this comment on Mar 22nd, 2009
Thanks for this interesting article.
Athlyn Green, posted this comment on Mar 22nd, 2009
This is an interesting article because it shows how a seeming obstacle can be turned into something positive and used to inspire or uplift others.
Elizabeth Abbott, posted this comment on Mar 23rd, 2009
She definitely has some ! voice. So wonderful that her legacy still lives..Great that you brought this to our attention. Thank you. E
Mys Lyke Meeh, posted this comment on Mar 24th, 2009
i haven’t heard of her…till this article…a woman with a big voice…wow!
S A JOHNSON, posted this comment on Mar 28th, 2009
That is so cool. I’m glad for her that she became famous rather than “spit” upon.
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nobert soloria bermosa, posted this comment on Mar 15th, 2009
amazing woman,thanks Glynis