{{Short description|American soprano (1927–2013)}} {{Infobox person | name = Laurel Hurley | birth_date = {{birth date|1927|2|14}} | birth_place = Allentown, Pennsylvania, U.S. | death_date = {{death date and age|2013|12|6|1927|2|14}} | death_place = Allentown, Pennsylvania, U.S. | education = William Allen High School<br>Hartt School of Music | occupation = Soprano | years_active = 1943–2013 | spouse = J. Peter Butz }} '''Laurel Hurley''' (February 14, 1927 – December 6, 2013) was an American soprano performer. She performed a diverse repertoire from musical theatre, operetta and opera, encompassing roles in the lyric soprano and coloratura soprano repertoire.
While most often heard in works from the standard opera canon by Mozart, Puccini, Verdi, and other composers, she also performed in the premieres of Thomas Arne's ''Comus'', Christoph Willibald Gluck's ''Paride ed Elena'', and Darius Milhaud's ''Médée''. Her performances and recordings in operas such as Vincenzo Bellini's ''La sonnambula'' and ''I Capuleti e i Montecchi'', and Gioachino Rossini's ''La Cenerentola'', and ''The Barber of Seville'' in the United States. contributed to the Bel canto revival movement of the 1950s.
Hurley was a principal artist at the Metropolitan Opera from 1955 through 1967, and performed with other American opera companies like the New York City Opera, Opera Company of Boston, New Orleans Opera, and Santa Fe Opera. Her voice is preserved on complete opera recordings made with the Met, including the roles of the Queen of the Night in Mozart's ''The Magic Flute'' (1957) and Mussetta in Puccini's ''La bohème'' (1958). She also made several recordings of complete operas with the American Opera Society (AOS) on disc and the NBC Opera Theatre for television.
==Early life and education== Hurley was born in Allentown, Pennsylvania, on February 14, 1927,<ref name="Baker">{{cite book|page=1072|title=Baker's Biographical Dictionary of Musicians, Volume 1|year=1984|editor1=Theodore Baker|editor2=Nicolas Slonimsky|author=Dennis McIntire|chapter=Hurley, Laurel|publisher=Schirmer Books}}</ref> into a Pennsylvania Dutch family. Her mother was a church organist and she received her initial music education from her.<ref name="Baker"/><ref name="ON"/>
After graduating from William Allen High School in Allentown, she studied voice at the Hartt College of Music, now the University of Hartford Hartt School, in West Hartford, Connecticut.<ref name="ON">{{cite journal|title=Laurel Hurley|journal=Opera News|volume=27|page=21|year=1962}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dsfq_5dFeL0C&dq=American+Opera+Society+I+capuletti+Laurel+Hurley&pg=PA2176|title=Großes Sängerlexikon, Volume IV|chapter=Hurley, Laurel|page=2176|isbn=978-3-598-44088-5|publisher=De Gruyter|author1=Karl-Josef Kutsch |author2=Leo Riemens |author3=Hansjörg Rost|year=2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Allen Yearbook In Tune With Future of Violinist|author=Dick Cowen|date=January 17, 1991|work=The Morning Call}}</ref> As a Hartt College student, she performed the role of Norina in ''Don Pasquale'' in the school's opera production.<ref name="ON"/>
==Career== ===1940s=== Hurley made her Broadway debut in 1943 at the age of 16 as Kathie in Sigmund Romberg’s operetta ''The Student Prince''.<ref name="Baker"/><ref>{{cite journal|title=Legitimate: Inside Stuff Legit|journal=Variety|volume=151|issue=11|date=August 25, 1943|page= 45}}</ref> She continued with that production after it left Broadway to go on tour.<ref name="Baker"/> In 1947 she portrayed Margot Bonvalet opposite baritone Edward Roecker's Pierre Birabeau in Sigmund Romberg's ''The Desert Song'' at the Detroit Opera.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Legitimate: Detroit Opera Take Up 5% This Year|magazine=Billboard|volume=60|issue=17|date=April 24, 1948|page=44}}</ref> In 1948 she starred in a revival of Jerome Kern's 1925 musical ''Sunny'' at the St. Louis Municipal Opera with Patricia Bowman and Hal Le Roy.<ref>{{cite journal|title=Legitimate: YANKEE' 47G IN ST. LOO; 'SONNY'S' BRIGHT START|journal=Variety|volume=171|issue=9|date=August 4, 1948|page=51}}</ref> In 1949 she portrayed Violetta in Giuseppe Verdi's ''La traviata'' in a televised version of the opera made by the DuMont Television Network with Paul Franke as Alfredo.<ref>{{cite journal|title=Television: Opera Series Set by DuMont|journal=Variety|volume=174|issue=8|date=May 4, 1949|page=26}}</ref>
===1950s and 1960s=== In 1951, Hurley was awarded the Walter W. Naumburg Foundation Award after touring as a lead soprano with the Charles L. Wagner Opera Company.<ref name="Naumberg">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1951/11/07/archives/naumburg-winner-makes-debut-here-laurel-hurley-soprano-heard-in.html|title=Naumburg Winner Makes Debut Here; Laurel Hurley, Soprano, Heard in Recital at Town Hall; Interpretive Skill Noted|author=Ross Parmenter|work=The New York Times|date=November 7, 1951|page=37}}</ref> In March 1952 she portrayed Philine in Ambroise Thomas's ''Mignon'' at the New Orleans Opera with Blanche Thebom in the title role.<ref>{{cite journal|title=Legitimate: Met Stars to Spark Opera Season in New Orleans|journal=Variety|volume=186|issue=2|date=March 19, 1952|page=55}}</ref> She starred as Nina in the operetta ''A Night in Venice'', which utilized the music of Johann Strauss II with an original story and lyrics by Ruth and Thomas Martin, at the Jones Beach Theater in the summer of 1952.<ref>{{cite book|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fgOqZWHCLbUC&dq=%22laurel+hurley%22&pg=PA315|title=Off Broadway Musicals, 1910–2007: Casts, Credits, Songs, Critical Reception and Performance Data of More Than 1,800 Shows|page=1132|chapter=A Night In Venice|author=Dan Dietz|year=2010|publisher=McFarland & Company|isbn=978-0-7864-5731-1}}</ref>
On October 25, 1952, Hurley performed the role of Micaëla in Georges Bizet's ''Carmen'' for her debut with the New York City Opera at New York City Center.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1952/10/26/archives/two-bow-at-opera.html|author=H.C.S.|title=Two Bow At Opera|date=October 26, 1952|page=86|work=The New York Times}}</ref> She performed several more roles with them over the next three years, including Susanna in ''The Marriage of Figaro'' (1952),<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1952/11/01/archives/new-susanna-scores-in-figaro-at-center.html|title=New Susanna scores in ''Figaro'' at Center|author=J. B.|work=The New York Times|date=November 1, 1952|page=17}}</ref> Rosalinda in ''Die Fledermaus'' (1953),<ref>{{cite journal|title=Legitimate: Money, Music, Merriment In New City Center 'Maus'; Marks 3d Click of Season|author=Bron|journal=Variety|volume=190|issue=6|date=April 15, 1953|page=72}}</ref> Gretel in ''Hansel and Gretel'' (1953),<ref>{{cite journal|title=Legitimate: N.Y. City Opera Has New Hii With Old 'Hansel &Gretel,' Aided by Whiz of a Witch|author=Bron|journal=Variety|volume=192|issue=7|date=October 21, 1953|page=68}}</ref> Violetta in ''La traviata'' (1954),<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1954/10/11/archives/lively-traviata-presented.html|title=Lively 'Traviata' Presented|author=J.B.|date=October 11, 1954|work=The New York Times|page=33}}</ref> and Magnolia in ''Show Boat'' (1954).<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_Zz_AwAAQBAJ&dq=Laurel+Hurley&pg=PA168|title=The Complete Book of 1950s Broadway Musicals|pages=167–168|author=Dan Dietz|year=2014|publisher=Rowman & Littlefield Publishers|isbn=978-1-4422-3505-2}}</ref> She notably performed the role of Clorinda in Rossini's ''La Cenerentola'' in 1953 with the New York City Opera; an opera which had not been heard in New York for 125 years previously.<ref>{{cite news|title=Legitimate: Rossini's 'Cenerentola' (You Pronounce It) Has Sock Revival in N.Y.|author=Bron|work=Variety|volume=190|issue=4|date=April 1, 1953|page=88}}</ref> During her time with the New York City Opera she began performing with the NBC Opera Theatre in televised operas and live concerts. This included live performances of Mozart's ''Così fan tutte'' as Fiordiligi (1953),<ref>{{cite journal|title=Legitimate: NBC-TV Opera Stock Co. Project Hypoed by Sock Balto Symph Showing|journal=Variety|volume= 189|issue=13|date=March 4, 1953|page=59}}</ref> and televised performances as Countess Almaviva in ''The Marriage of Figaro'' (1954)<ref>{{cite journal|title=Television Review: Color TV Review – NBC TELEVISION OPERA THEATRE|author=Bron|journal=Variety|volume=193|issue= 10|date=Feb 10, 1954|page=37}}</ref> and the Queen of the Night to Leontyne Price's Pamina in ''The Magic Flute'' (1956).<ref>{{cite magazine|title=TV-TV Film Reviews: TV PROGRAM REVIEWS – NBC Goes All Out, To Present 'Flute'|author= Jack Singer|magazine= Billboard|volume=68|issue= 4|date=January 28, 1956|page= 15}}</ref> She also portrayed Laurie in Rodgers and Hammerstein's ''Oklahoma!'' at the Salt Lake City Music Festival on the campus of the University of Utah in the summer of 1954.<ref>{{cite journal|title=Legitimate: 'Okla.,' 'Aida' Set For Salt Lake Music Fest|journal=Variety|volume=194|issue=13|date=June 2, 1954|page=56}}</ref>
Hurley performed in several rarely performed operas during her career, including the roles of Helen of Troy in the United States premiere of Christoph Willibald Gluck's ''Paride ed Elena'' with the American Chamber Opera Society at The Town Hall on January 15, 1954;<ref>{{cite journal|title=Legitimate: Opera-Concert Series In N.Y. Bow With 'Paris'|journal=Variety|volume=193|issue= 6|date=January 13, 1954|page= 72}}</ref> and Creuse in the United States premiere of Darius Milhaud's ''Médée'' at the Brandeis University Music Festival with Phyllis Curtin in the title role on June 11, 1955.<ref>{{cite journal|title=Concerts-Opera: Milhaud 'Medea' to Bow At 3d Brandeis Fest For American Preem|journal=Variety|volume=198|issue=11|date=May 18, 1955|page=71}}</ref> She made her debut with the American Opera Society (AOS) in 1955 as Amina in Bellini's ''La Sonnambula'' with Cesare Siepi as Rodolfo; a work which was rarely staged at that time in history.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1955/01/26/archives/opera-la-sonnambula-laurel-hurley-praised-gamson-conducts.html|title=Opera: 'La Sonnambula'; Laurel Hurley Praised – Gamson Conducts|author=Howard Taubman|page=21|work=The New York Times|date=January 26, 1955}}</ref> In 1957 she performed the role of Giulietta in Bellini's ''I Capuleti e i Montecchi'' at Carnegie Hall with the AOS; an opera which had not been performed in the United States for one hundred years previously.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1958/10/15/archives/opera-romeo-and-juliet-bellinis-i-capuletti-offered-in-concert.html|title=Opera: Romeo and Juliet; Bellini's 'I Capuletti' Offered in Concert|date=October 15, 1958|page=46|author=Howard Taubman|work=The New York Times}}</ref> She also performed and recorded the role of Wanda in Offenbach's ''La Grande-Duchesse de Gérolstein'' with the AOS at Carnegie Hall in 1959.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=En3QYRnApqMC&dq=%22laurel+hurley%22&pg=PA147|page=147|title=More EJS; Discography of the Edward J. Smith Recordings : "Unique Opera Records Corporation" (1972–1977), "A.N.N.A. Record Company" (1978–1982), "special-label" Issues (circa 1954–1981), and Addendum to "The Golden Age of Opera" Series|author1=William Shaman |author2=Edward Joseph Smith |author3=William J. Collins |author4=Calvin M. Goodwin|year=1999|isbn=978-0-313-29835-6|publisher=Greenwood Press}}</ref> In 1958 she starred in the American premiere of Thomas Arne's ''Comus'' presented by The Little Orchestra Society.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Reviews: Scherman Premieres Maske For Lovely Season Opener|author=Bob Bernstein |magazine=Billboard|volume=70| issue=41|date=October 13, 1958|page= 5}}</ref> In 1960, 1965, 1967, and 1968, she was a soloist with the Naumburg Orchestral Concerts, in the Naumburg Bandshell in Central Park, in the summer series.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Notable Events and Performers |url=https://naumburgconcerts.org/notable-events-and-performers |access-date=2025-02-21 |website=Naumburg Orchestral Concerts |language=en-US}}</ref>
Hurley made her debut at the Metropolitan Opera ("The Met") on February 8, 1955, as Oscar in Giuseppe Verdi's ''Un ballo in maschera'' with Zinka Milanov as Amelia, Richard Tucker as Riccardo, and Dimitri Mitropoulos conducting.<ref>{{cite news|date=February 9, 1955|work=New York Daily News|title=Laurel Hurley in Met Debut|author=Douglass Watt}}</ref> She was a principal artist at the Met for the next 12 years where her repertoire included the roles of Adele in ''Die Fledermaus'',<ref name="Archive"/> Adina in ''L'elisir d'amore'',<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1961/04/05/archives/miss-hurley-sings-adina-in-lelisir.html|title=MISS HURLEY SINGS ADINA IN 'L'ELISIR'|work=The New York Times|date=April 5, 1961|page=21|author=Eric Salzman}}</ref> Arsena in ''The Gypsy Baron'',<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1959/11/26/archives/a-gypsy-baron-with-icing-operetta-by-strauss-returns-to-met.html|title=A 'Gypsy Baron' With Icing; Operetta by Strauss Returns to 'Met'|author=Howard Taubman|work=The New York Times|date=November 26, 1959|page=56}}</ref> Despina in ''Così fan tutte'',<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1962/01/02/archives/half-of-cast-new-at-mets-6th-cosi-laurel-hurley-lucine-amara-and.html|title=HALF OF CAST NEW AT MET'S 6TH 'COSI'; Laurel Hurley, Lucine Amara and Anthony in Top Roles|author=Ross Parmenter|date=January 2, 1962|work=The New York Times|page=24}}</ref> Fiakermilli in ''Arabella'',<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1955/03/25/archives/met-gives-arabella-laurel-hurley-and-giulio-gari-are-heard-in-new.html|title=MET' GIVES 'ARABELLA'; Laurel Hurley and Giulio Gari Are Heard in New Roles|work=The New York Times|date=March 25, 1955|page=20}}</ref> Flower Maiden in ''Parsifal'',<ref name="Archive"/> the Forest Bird in ''Siegfried'',<ref name="Archive"/> Gilda in ''Rigoletto'',<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1956/02/25/archives/new-mimi-at-met-miss-de-los-angeles-in-role-laurel-hurley-sings.html|title=NEW MIMI AT 'MET'; Miss de los Angeles in Role-- Laurel Hurley Sings Gilda|work=The New York Times|date=February 25, 1956|page= 11}}</ref> the Happy Shade in ''Orfeo ed Euridice'',<ref>{{cite journal|title=Concerts-Opera: 'Orfeo' Back in High Place At Metop After 13Yrs.; All-Femme Star Cast|author=Bron|journal=Variety|volume=197|issue=13|date=Mar 2, 1955|page= 68}}</ref> Jouvenot in ''Adriana Lecouvreur'',<ref name="Archive"/> Kitty in ''The Last Savage'',<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1964/02/24/archives/miss-hurley-in-savage.html|title=Miss Hurley in 'Savage'|date=February 24, 1964|page= 22|work=The New York Times}}</ref> Lady Harriet Durham in ''Martha'',<ref name="Archive"/> Lauretta in ''Gianni Schicchi'',<ref name="Archive"/> Marzelline in ''Fidelio'',<ref name="Archive"/> Micaela in ''Carmen'',<ref name="Archive"/> both Mimi and Musetta in ''La bohème'',<ref name="Archive"/><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1964/01/31/archives/musical-chairs-continue-at-met-for-la-boheme.html|title=Musical Chairs Continue At Met for 'La Boheme'|date=January 31, 1964 |work=The New York Times|page= 15}}</ref> Najade in ''Ariadne auf Naxos'',<ref name="Archive"/> Nedda in ''Pagliacci'',<ref name="Archive"/> Norina in ''Don Pasquale'',<ref name="Archive"/> Olympia in ''The Tales of Hoffmann'',<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1955/12/26/archives/miss-hurley-heard-in-hoffmann-role.html|title=MISS HURLEY HEARD IN 'HOFFMANN' ROLE|work=The New York Times|author=H. C. S.|date=December 26, 1955|page=22}}</ref> Papagena and the Queen of the Night in ''The Magic Flute'',<ref name="Archive"/> Rosina in ''The Barber of Seville'',<ref name="Archive"/> Sophie in ''Der Rosenkavalier'',<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1958/01/10/archives/two-bow-in-roles-at-metropolitan-laurel-hurley-and-margaret-roggero.html|title=TWO BOW IN ROLES AT METROPOLITAN; Laurel Hurley and Margaret Roggero Sing Sophie and Annina in 'Rosenkavalier'|author=E. D.a|work=The New York Times|date=January 10, 1958|page=20}}</ref> Susanna in ''The Marriage of Figaro'',<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1956/12/13/archives/met-presents-figaro-laurel-hurley-excels-in-her-debut-as-susanna.html|title=MET' PRESENTS 'FIGARO'; Laurel Hurley Excels in Her Debut as Susanna|work=The New York Times|author=J. B.|date=December 13, 1956|page=51}}</ref> Violetta in ''La traviata'',<ref name="Archive"/> Xenia in ''Boris Godunov'',<ref name="Archive"/> Zerlina in ''Don Giovanni'',<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1959/02/09/archives/laurel-hurley-sings-performs-role-of-zerlina-in-don-giovanni-at-met.html|title=LAUREL HURLEY SINGS; Performs Role of Zerlina in 'Don Giovanni' at 'Met'|author=J. B.|work=The New York Times|date=February 9, 1959|page=23}}</ref> and the title role in ''La Périchole''.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1957/01/12/archives/miss-hurley-scores-in-perichole-role.html|title=MISS HURLEY SCORES IN 'PERICHOLE' ROLE|work=The New York Times|date=January 12, 1957|page=12}}</ref><ref name="Archive">{{cite web|url=http://archives.metoperafamily.org/archives/scripts/cgiip.exe/WService=BibSpeed/gisrch2k.r?Term=Hurley,%20Laurel%20%5BSoprano%5D&limit=50&vsrchtype=no&xBranch=ALL&xmtype=&Start=&End=&theterm=Hurley,%20Laurel%20%5BSoprano%5D&srt=&x=0&xHome=&xHomePath=|title=Hurley, Laurel [Soprano]|work=Metropolitan Opera Performance Archives|publisher=Metropolitan Opera|access-date=January 31, 2022}}</ref>
Hurley performed the title role in Douglas Moore's ''The Ballad of Baby Doe'' several times, including with the Central City Opera in 1959 and the Santa Fe Opera in 1961.<ref name="Moore"/> In 1962 she performed the role of Lola Markham in Moore's ''Gallantry'' for a televised version of the opera for CBS.<ref name="Moore">{{cite book|pages=183, 186, 219|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=soYHkRcq0r4C&q=Douglas+Moore:+A+Bio-bibliography|title=Douglas Moore: A Bio-bibliography|first=Jerry L.|last=McBride|year=2011|isbn=978-0-89579-666-0|publisher=Music Library Association|ref={{harvid|McBride}}}}</ref> She gave one of her few international performances with the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra in Tel Aviv on July 18, 1961; starring in a concert performance of Mozart's ''Così fan tutte'' under conductor Thomas Schippers in celebration of the orchestra's 25th anniversary.<ref>{{cite journal|title=Music: ISRAEL'S 25TH ANNIVERSARY|journal=Variety|volume=223|issue=8|date=July 19, 1961|page= 49}}</ref> In 1966 she portrayed Zerlina in the Opera Company of Boston's production of ''Don Giovanni'' under conductor Sarah Caldwell.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=M8AQKA7nyzsC|title=Sarah Caldwell: The First Woman of Opera|author=Daniel Kessler|publisher=Scarecrow Press|year=2008|isbn=978-0-8108-6110-7|page=213}}</ref> In 1967, she performed a recital at The Town Hall with pianist Samuel Sanders in a program that included Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's ''Exsultate, jubilate'', the world premieres of two art songs by Sergius Kagen, and works by Poulenc and Debussy.<ref name="recital"/> In his review in ''The New York Times'', music critic Theodore Strongin stated, "Laurel Hurley was in fresh voice and sang with charm all over the place. There was a strong connection between performer and music here."<ref name="recital">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1967/10/16/archives/laurel-hurley-soprano-gives-town-hall-concert.html|title=Laurel Hurley, Soprano, Gives Town Hall Concert|work=The New York Times|date=October 16, 1967|page=59|author=Theodore Strongin}}</ref>
==Recordings== In 1960, RCA Victor released a live 1957 recording of ''The Magic Flute'' from the Met starring Hurley as the Queen of the Night with Lucine Amara as Pamina and Brian Sullivan as Tamino.<ref>{{cite news|title=Amara on Disc – Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's The Magic Flute featuring Lucine Amara, Laurel Hurley, Mildred Allen, Brian Sullivan, Theodor Uppman, Jerome Hines and others and conducted by Tibor Kozma|author=Albright, William|work=The Opera Quarterly|date=October 1992|volume=9|issue=1|pages=118–119|doi=10.1093/oq/9.1.110}}</ref> In 2011 Sony Classical released a live 1958 recording of ''La bohème'' from the Metropolitan Opera with Hurley as Mussetta that had previously not been available.<ref name="Rec">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/27/arts/music/sony-to-release-met-opera-recordings.html|title=Met's Archive Yields Past Treasures|work=The New York Times|author=Anthony Tommasini|date=March 25, 2011}}</ref> Other cast members included Licia Albanese as Mimi, Carlo Bergonzi as Rodolfo, and Mario Sereni as Marcello with Thomas Schippers conducting.<ref name="Rec"/> Hurley also recorded excerpts of several operas as part of her work with the Met for Columbia Records, including selections from ''Rigoletto'', ''The Tales of Hoffmann'', and ''Die Fledermaus''.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yTIAjy9jx84C&dq=%22laurel+hurley%22&pg=PA158|title=The Metropolitan Opera on Record: A Discography of the Commercial Recordings|author=Frederick P. Fellers|year=2010|isbn=978-0-8108-7664-4|publisher=Scarecrow Press|pages=154–176}}</ref> She also performed the role of Perichole on television when the Met production was adapted for broadcast on the program ''Omnibus'' in 1958.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1958/01/27/archives/-met-perichole-cyril-ritchard-and-laurel-hurley-star-in-offenbach.html|title=' Met' 'Perichole'; Cyril Ritchard and Laurel Hurley Star in Offenbach Work on 'Omnibus'|page=45|work=The New York Times|author=Jack Gould|date=January 27, 1958}}</ref>
==Personal life== In 1958, Hurley, then residing with her family in Englewood, New Jersey, gave birth two her second child with her husband J. Peter Butz.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Music: WHEELING AND DEALING|author=Bernstein, Bob|magazine=Billboard|volume=70|issue=35|date=September 1, 1958|page= 7}}</ref> After 1967, she mainly retired from performance. In the 1980s, she periodically performed in concerts in New Jersey with the Sutton Ensemble.<ref>{{cite news|title=New Jersey Guide; New Playhouse Opens|author=Frank Emblen|date=September 16, 1984|page=NJ11|work=The New York Times}}</ref>
==Death== She lived in retirement in Allentown, Pennsylvania, where she died on December 6, 2013, at the age of 86.<ref>{{cite web |title=Laurel H. Butz |url=https://www.ancestry.co.uk/discoveryui-content/view/94427179:3693?tid=&pid=&queryId=6f270158055889f49a31775c64d82748&_phsrc=Dqh5987&_phstart=successSource |publisher=U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935–2014 |access-date=31 May 2023}}</ref>
==References== {{reflist}}
{{Portal bar|Biography|Opera}} {{Authority control|state=collapsed}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Hurley, Laurel}} Category:1927 births Category:2013 deaths Category:American operatic sopranos Category:American people of Pennsylvania Dutch descent Category:Musicians from Allentown, Pennsylvania Category:University of Hartford Hartt School alumni Category:William Allen High School alumni