It does not include ‘I Left My Heart in San Francisco’, which she simply never got around to recording.” - Margalit Fox, THE NEW YORK TIMES, 7 June, 2013 “Claramae Turner was a true contralto.
Besides singing many roles with the San Francisco Opera between 1942 and 1974, she appeared at the Metropolitan Opera, New York City Opera, and elsewhere, creating such roles as Madame Flora in Giancarlo Menotti's The Medium.She had a prominent career in musicals, including the role of Nettie in the film version of … The encores were built-in, and Ivan Paul, writing in the “San Francisco Examiner,” said: “[Bennett] came up with a thrilling old tune, ‘I Left My Heart in San Francisco,’ that was a showstopper.” While Miss Turner was performing with the New York City Opera in the early 1950s, a homesick friend of hers from San Francisco named George Cory wrote a song for her: “I Left My Heart in San Francisco.” She sang it regularly, usually as an encore for her classical music recitals. Tomorrow, join us for a city-wide chorus of Tony Bennett's hit tune "I Left My Heart in San Francisco!" She was much praised for her rich, dark velvet sound and intense interpretations. Claramae Turner was born on October 28, 1920 in Dinuba, California, USA as Claramae Haas. Contralto Claramae Turner, 92, died in Santa Rosa earlier this month. The song "I Left My Heart in San Francisco" was reportedly written for her. - She was the muse for the song "I Left my Heart in San Francisco - plus she got her big break here at the San Francisco Opera WMOH - by Mr. Merola! The song "I Left My Heart in San Francisco" was written for Turner, and it was she, not Tony Bennett, who originally sang it. Participated in the first complete opera recorded by the Metropolitan Opera Company in 1947. I am proud to invite the citizens of San Francisco to raise their voices in song. Unfortunately, she never got around to recording it.
in San Francisco, singing the song in public for the first time. "I Left My Heart in San Francisco" is a popular song, written in 1954 by George Cory and Douglass Cross, and best known as the signature song of Tony Bennett. In December 1961, in the famous "Venetian Room" at the Fairmont Hotel in San Francisco, Tony Bennett first sang "I Left My Heart in San Francisco". Prior to Tony Bennett hearing it, the song was pitched to Tennessee Ernie Ford, whom Claramae Turner suggested Cross take it to. The song was originally written for the opera singer Claramae Turner who used it for an encore in many of her tours. This Saturday, April 25 at 12pm PDT, join as we sing I Left My Heart in San Francisco from our homes. CLARAMAE TURNER Dinuba, CA, October 28, 1920 — Santa Rosa, CA, May 18, 2013 . By Paulo Camacho, contributor to Picardy.
I Left My Heart In San Francisco: A Brief History.
But I'm going home to my city by the bay I left my heart in San Francisco High on a hill it calls to me To be where little cable cars Climb half way to the stars The morning fog may chill the air I don't care My love waits there in San Francisco Above the blue and windy sea When I come home to you San Francisco Your golden sun will shine for me
Ford turned the song down. A contralto gifted with a magnificent voice and formidable stage presence, Claramae Turner began her career in San Francisco.