Geraldine Farrar: Opera’s Charismatic Innovator, 2d ed.

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From 1906 until 1922, Geraldine Farrar was the Metropolitan Opera’s most popular and glamorous prima donna. Convinced that music must always serve the drama, this beautiful and magnetic singer often sacrificed tonal beauty to dramatic effect. Her acting was noted for its intensity and realism. Nevertheless, Farrar was a superb singer, possessing a beautiful lyric soprano voice. Enrico Caruso was her frequent operatic partner, guaranteeing sold-out houses. She performed 493 times in 29 roles, creating Puccini’s Madama Butterfly in 1906. Farrar was also a star of the silent screen, appearing in 14 films from 1915 to 1920. In retirement, she was mentor and friend to the African-American diva Camilla Williams, enabling her to become the first African American to have a regular contract with a major American opera company.