Monte Amundsen

Not to be confused with Monti Amundson.

Monte Amundsen (January 15, 1930 – December 24, 2011)^[1] was an American opera and musical singer who appeared on Broadway in Marc Blitzstein's musical Juno in 1959, which starred Shirley Booth.

Monte Amundsen
Born	(1930-01-15)January 15, 1930
Died	December 24, 2011(2011-12-24) (aged 81) Tampa, Florida, U.S.
Occupation(s)	Singer, entertainer
Spouse	Tommy Rall ​ ​ (m. 1959, divorced)​ Giorgio Tozzi ​ ​ (m. 1967; died 2011)​
Children	2

Biography

Composer Marc Blitzstein was reportedly so delighted with Amundsen that he expanded her role in Juno to include three major songs: I Wish It So, For Love, and My True Heart, as well as a duet with Shirley Booth, The Bird Upon The Tree. The show was not a success, but Amundsen's well-received performance is preserved on the original cast recording. In 1964 she appeared in another ill-fated musical, Cafe Crown, which ran for 30 performances in previews before closing after just three performances after its official opening.^{[citation needed]}

Amundsen also made many appearances at The Muny in St. Louis, including Rosabella in The Most Happy Fella (1969); Marie Esterhazy in Blossom Time (1966); Gretel in Hansel & Gretel (1966); Barbara in Milk and Honey (1964); Anna Belle in Robin Hood (1961); Resi in The Great Waltz (1961) and Gretchen in The Red Mill (1960). In 1958 she made her debut at the New York City Opera as Adele in Die Fledermaus.^[2] She also sang several roles with the Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera during the 1950s and 1960s.

Personal life

She was briefly married to dancer Tommy Rall^[3] and later married opera star Giorgio Tozzi in 1967, with whom she had two children, Jennifer and Eric. She was widowed seven months before her own death.^[4]