Role

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Performer

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Opera

 

 

Vocal

 

Marie Powers was a renowned American soprano who made a significant contribution to the world of classical music during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Born on January 20, 1862, in San Francisco, California, Marie Powers was the daughter of Irish immigrants. Her father, John Powers, was a successful businessman, and her mother, Mary, was a homemaker. Marie was the youngest of six children and grew up in a musical family. Her father played the violin, and her mother sang in the church choir. Marie showed an early interest in music and began taking piano lessons at the age of six. She also sang in the church choir and performed in local musical productions. Her talent was evident from a young age, and her parents encouraged her to pursue a career in music. In 1878, at the age of 16, Marie traveled to Europe with her family. While in Europe, she studied voice with some of the most renowned teachers of the time, including Mathilde Marchesi in Paris and Francesco Lamperti in Milan. She also studied piano with Franz Liszt in Weimar, Germany. After returning to the United States in 1881, Marie made her professional debut in San Francisco in a production of Gounod's "Faust." Her performance was well-received, and she quickly gained a reputation as a talented soprano. She went on to perform in operas and concerts throughout the United States and Europe. In 1885, Marie made her debut at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City, where she performed the role of Marguerite in "Faust." Her performance was a huge success, and she quickly became one of the most popular singers at the Metropolitan Opera. She went on to perform in many other operas at the Metropolitan Opera, including "Rigoletto," "La Traviata," and "Carmen." Marie's voice was known for its purity, clarity, and power. She had a wide vocal range and was able to sing both high and low notes with ease. Her performances were characterized by her emotional intensity and dramatic flair. In addition to her work at the Metropolitan Opera, Marie also performed in concerts and recitals throughout the United States and Europe. She was particularly known for her performances of German lieder and French chansons. She also performed in oratorios and cantatas, including Handel's "Messiah" and Mendelssohn's "Elijah." Marie's career was not without its challenges. In 1892, she suffered a vocal injury that forced her to take a break from performing for several months. She also faced criticism from some quarters for her decision to perform in popular music concerts, which was seen as beneath the dignity of a classical singer. Despite these challenges, Marie continued to perform and record throughout her career. She made several recordings for the Victor Talking Machine Company, including a recording of "The Last Rose of Summer" that became one of her most popular recordings. Marie retired from performing in 1915, at the age of 53. She continued to teach voice and was a respected voice teacher until her death in 1931. Throughout her career, Marie received many honors and awards. In 1901, she was awarded the Légion d'honneur by the French government for her contributions to French music. She was also awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of California in 1910. Marie Powers was a trailblazer in the world of classical music. She was one of the first American singers to achieve international success and helped to establish the United States as a center of classical music.

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