Famous Singers of To-day and Yesterday

This compact yet richly illustrated volume offers a sweeping “bird’s‑eye view” of the world’s most celebrated vocalists, from the birth of opera in early‑17th‑century Florence through the golden ages of the 19th and 20th centuries. Inside, readers will meet trailblazers such as the Tuscan pioneer Margarita de L’Epine, whose daring “last appearances” set a lasting tradition, and the enchanting English soprano Katharine Tofts, whose crystal‑clear tone captivated audiences despite a brief career. The author blends vivid anecdotes drawn from contemporary memoirs with concise biographical sketches, giving a sense of each artist’s unique personality and the cultural moment they helped shape.

Beyond the narratives, the book includes a chronological table that maps the rise of famous singers across three centuries, complemented by striking portrait illustrations of icons like Jenny Lind, Adelina Patti, and Enrico de Reszke. Whether you’re a student of music history or an opera enthusiast, the work serves as an accessible reference that brings the voices of the past to life for today’s listeners.