Monte Amundsen

Monte Amundsen (January 15, 1930 – December 24, 2011) was an American singer whose career spanned opera, musical theater, and regional stage productions. Her Broadway work between 1959 and 1964 placed her alongside major figures of the American musical theater, and her operatic training informed performances across multiple genres throughout her professional life.

Amundsen made her New York City Opera debut in 1958, taking the role of Adele in Die Fledermaus. The following year she appeared on Broadway in Juno, Marc Blitzstein's musical adaptation, which starred Shirley Booth. Blitzstein was reportedly so pleased with Amundsen's work that he expanded her part to encompass three major songs — I Wish It So, For Love, and My True Heart — along with a duet with Booth titled The Bird Upon The Tree. Though Juno did not succeed commercially, Amundsen's performance earned favorable notice and is preserved on the original cast recording. In 1964 she returned to Broadway in Cafe Crown, a musical that closed after only three performances following its official opening, having run for 30 performances in previews. Her third Broadway credit was Milk and Honey.

Beyond Broadway, Amundsen maintained an active presence at The Muny in St. Louis across multiple decades, taking on roles that included 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). She also performed with the Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera during the 1950s and 1960s.

In her personal life, Amundsen was briefly married to dancer Tommy Rall. She later married opera singer Giorgio Tozzi in 1967; the couple had two children, Jennifer and Eric. Tozzi died seven months before Amundsen's own death on December 24, 2011.