Gilda Ruta
Italian
Female
Born 1853, Died 1932
Gilda Ruta was born in 1853 to English singer, Emilia Sutton and Michele Ruta, composer and director of the Naples Conservatory in Italy. Ruta was a highly appreciated pianist and a recognized composer. She won the gold medal as a composer at the international Beatrice Exhibition in 1890.
In 1877, Ruta married Count Raffaeli Cagnazzi who bore her two children before dying suddenly, leaving her alone and with the need to work to support the family.
Ruta emigrated to America in part due to an offer from the Steinway company inviting her to conduct a promotional tour throughout North America. Ultimately, Ruta settled in New York and became a leading exponent of the Italian American community. Her final years were dedicated to teaching and composition. She founded the Ruta Musical Society and the Ruta Music School. Overall, she wrote nearly 130 works: art songs, piano compositions, as well as chamber and orchestral music.
Ruta died in Manhattan in 1932 of a cerebral hemorrhage.
In 1877, Ruta married Count Raffaeli Cagnazzi who bore her two children before dying suddenly, leaving her alone and with the need to work to support the family.
Ruta emigrated to America in part due to an offer from the Steinway company inviting her to conduct a promotional tour throughout North America. Ultimately, Ruta settled in New York and became a leading exponent of the Italian American community. Her final years were dedicated to teaching and composition. She founded the Ruta Musical Society and the Ruta Music School. Overall, she wrote nearly 130 works: art songs, piano compositions, as well as chamber and orchestral music.
Ruta died in Manhattan in 1932 of a cerebral hemorrhage.