Caro Roma

Caro Roma was the stage name of Carrie Northey, an American singer and composer born on September 10, 1866, in Oakland, California. Her father, Vernal Sidney Northey, operated a forge. Roma trained at the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, completing her studies there in 1888.

Roma's performing career began remarkably early; she first appeared on stage at age three. As a teenager she traveled to Canada, where she served as orchestra conductor for a French opera company. She later became prima donna with the Henry Savage Opera Company in Boston and extended her operatic career to Europe, where her performances were attended by royalty including King Edward VII. Her recording work dates to at least 1899, placing her among the early figures to document her voice on record.

Her Broadway career included an appearance in 1906 in Mexicana. Beyond the stage, Roma contributed to the war effort during World War I by giving benefit concerts in New Jersey and performing alongside the United States Marine Band. In 1919 she undertook a tour through the American South.

Alongside her performing work, Roma was a prolific composer and lyricist active in the Tin Pan Alley era. She had written songs and poetry from childhood, and her compositional output grew throughout her years as a performer. By 1909 she was presenting full recitals consisting entirely of her own works, and she later brought her compositions to radio audiences as well. In 1924 the American National Composers' and Authors' Association presented her with a best song award. At age 71, in 1932, she gave a concert in Los Angeles at which she performed nineteen of her own songs.

Roma's written output encompassed Tin Pan Alley songs, poetry, sea songs, religious works, and at least one song cycle. Her compositions include Can't Yo' Heah Me Callin' Caroline from 1914, Ring Out, Sweet Bells of Peace from 1918 co-written with William H. Gardner, and The Wandering One, a song cycle set to lyrics by Clement Scott. Additional works include Faded Rose, The Angelus, Thinking of Thee, Resignation, Lullaby, and In collaboration with composer Ernest R. Ball she wrote lyrics for In the Garden of My Heart, Love Me Today, and Tomorrow May Never Come.

Roma married Jesse Douglas. She died following a stroke on September 22, 1937, in Oakland, California, at the age of 72.