14.00 USD
A lovely portrait by Leopold Reutlinger of Mary Garden (1874-1967), in Jules Massenet's Manon. Miss Garden was an operatic soprano who enjoyed great success in both France and the United States during the first third of the 20th century.
She was born in Aberdeen, Scotland into a working class family (to a 14 year old mother!), and spent her early childhood there before moving with her family to America. Though she studied voice and music here, it was not in the U.S. that she first gained renown, however, but in France. It was there, at about the time this portrait was made (she performed the title role in Manon, in 1901), that she realized fame at the Opéra Comique in Paris, working closely with the finest composers of the period, like Debussy and Massenet. She also performed the role of Salome, in the Strauss version, and so took part in that Salome craze (we'd love to find an image of her in Salome garb :).
Just a few short years after this photograph was taken, she made a triumphant return to the U.S., and a contract with the ill-fated Manhattan Opera Company. Her career in the U.S. was very successful, particularly in Chicago.
Follow the link below to hear her sing, accompanied by none other than Debussy, himself! This is a direct play of an old recording, with no apparent clean-up, but still a nice bit of history.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_3YPH0vb00
Sadly, Miss Garden suffered from dementia in later years, and though an American citizen, returned finally to Scotland, where, in her nineties, she passed away.
Thanks are due (as they so often are) to the folks at Wikipedia, for the bulk of our biographical information!
A very nice card, in fine, unposted condition.
Please examine our high res scans for detail.
The item you are considering for purchase is, unless otherwise noted, a vintage postcard of approximately 5 and 1/2, by 3 and 1/2 inches. Postage is for fully insured, first class, shipping in a secure photo mailer (to avoid any damage to your purchase in the mails), and we happily combine shipping on all paper goods. If you purchase two cards, we will refund the postage on the second card, and when you purchase three or more cards from us at the same time, your shipping will be entirely free, except for international orders which, because of increases in international shipping rates will still be charged one card's shipping fees on orders of three or more. We do not charge for insurance or shipping materials, and as of the date of this listing are still charging below our overall cost on shipping.
And please come visit our blog at:
redpoulaine.blogspot.com
where we post biographical and historical tidbits, images of cards and photographs for sale, some already sold but remembered fondly, related images of historical interest and sometimes even images of items that have not yet arrived in the shop, but that are expected to arrive soon, as well as coupon codes, links to other related sites, and more!