Biographical Overview & Key Facts

Subject:

Geraldine Farrar

Role / Field:

Iconic American lyric soprano celebrated for her vocal beauty and dramatic acting.

Born:

1882-02-28

Died:

1967-03-11

Century / Era:

1882s Historical Era

Database Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Wikipedia CC BY-SA 4.0

Origins & Early Life

Alice Geraldine Farrar (February 28, 1882 – March 11, 1967) was an American lyric soprano who also frequently sang dramatic roles. She was noted for her beauty, acting ability, and "the intimate timbre of her voice." In the 1910s, she also found success as an actress in silent films. Farrar had a large following among young women, who were nicknamed "Gerry-flappers". Farrar was born in Melrose, Massachusetts, the daughter of baseball player Sidney Farrar, and his wife Henrietta Barnes.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

At age five, she began studying music in Boston and by 14 was giving recitals. Later she studied voice with the American soprano Emma Thursby in New York City, in Paris, and finally with the Italian baritone Francesco Graziani in Berlin. Farrar created a sensation at the Berlin Hofoper with her debut as Marguerite in Charles Gounod's Faust in 1901 and remained with the company for three years, during which time she continued her studies with famed German soprano Lilli Lehmann. (She had been recommended to Lehmann by another famous soprano of the previous generation, Lillian Nordica.) She appeared in the title roles of Giuseppe Verdi’s La traviata, Ambroise Thomas' Mignon...

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The historical impact and works continue to influence the modern world.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• A. A. Milne — Contemporary (Born in 1882) (1882): Celebrated English author, famed for Winnie-the-Pooh and children's literature.
• Abd el-Krim — Contemporary (Born in 1882) (1882): Moroccan revolutionary leader who spearheaded the revolt against French and Spanish Protectorates.
• Aleksey Nikolayevich Tolstoy — Contemporary (Born in 1882) (1882): Versatile Russian/Soviet writer known for historical and science fiction.
• Akshay Kumar — Contemporary (Born in 1967) (1967): Veteran Indian actor and producer, celebrated for action roles and prolific career.
• Albert Luthuli — Contemporary (Died in 1967) (1967): Pioneering anti-apartheid activist and leader of the ANC in South Africa.
• Aleksandr Karelin — Contemporary (Born in 1967) (1967): Dominant Greco-Roman wrestler, nicknamed the "Russian Bear", celebrated for unmatched Olympic success.
• 3rd Dalai Lama — Shared historical date (02-28 · Born) (1543): Founding figure of the Dalai Lama lineage, pivotal to Gelug school's rise in Tibet.
• Abu Abdallah al-Shi'i — Shared historical date (02-28 · Died) (911): Influential 10th-century Isma'ili missionary who aided the conquest of Ifriqiya.
• 1982 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament — Shared historical date (03-11 · Born) (1982): The 44th annual NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament.
• Aleksey Pisemsky — Shared historical date (03-11 · Born) (1821): A prominent Russian novelist and dramatist, contemporary to Turgenev and Dostoyevsky.
• 1882 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1882
• February 28 (02-28) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on February 28
• 1967 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1967
• March 11 (03-11) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on March 11

Frequently Asked Questions about Geraldine Farrar