
FOREWORD
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
CHAPTER I - THE WAY IT ALL HAPPENED
CHAPTER II - A STRUGGLE AND A SOLUTION
CHAPTER III - PARIS AT LAST
CHAPTER IV - PENSION PERSONALITIES
CHAPTER V - OPERATIC FRANCE VERSUS OPERATIC GERMANY
CHAPTER VI - PREPARING RÔLES IN BERLIN
CHAPTER VII - MY FIRST OPERATIC CONTRACT SIGNED
CHAPTER VIII - MY ONE LONE IMPROPOSITION
A candid memoir that follows a young woman’s unexpected rise from a modest New York upbringing to the glittering stages of Europe’s great opera houses. She recalls her childhood steeped in music, the playful duets with her father, and the moment her voice—still unpolished—began to hint at something larger than ordinary domestic ambitions.
The narrative then traces her daring leap into a world of rehearsals, costumes, and fierce competition, taking readers from the bustling streets of Paris to the disciplined ranks of German officers who both support and challenge the theater’s inner life. Along the way, she shares vivid backstage anecdotes, the camaraderie of fellow singers, and the stark contrast between public applause and the private sacrifices required to keep the curtain rising.
Through humor and honesty, the story offers a rare glimpse into the realities of a career built on talent, perseverance, and the ever‑present tension between art and the practicalities of everyday survival.
Language
en
Duration
~5 hours (325K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Chuck Greif and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This book was produced from scanned images of public domain material at The Internet Archive.)
Release date
2010-06-26
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1884–1956
A Canadian-born opera star who later became a sharp, memorable screen presence, she moved from the great stages of Europe and the Metropolitan Opera to Hollywood character roles. She is still especially remembered for creating Zita in Puccini's "Gianni Schicchi" and for her comic performances opposite W. C. Fields.
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by George T. (George Titus) Ferris

by George T. (George Titus) Ferris