This is an original vintage circa 1900-1910 photograph of Geraldine Farrar. This is a beautiful image of American opera star from the Metropolitan Opera (1906-1922) and one of the most famous opera singers of the early twentieth century. Her 1901 debut was at the Royal Opera House in Berlin, in the role of Marguerite in "Faust". She was summoned to films briefly by Cecil B. DeMille and starred in a few of his early pictures, among others. Once wed to silent screen actor Lou Tellegen, who later committed suicide. From 1906 to 1922 she was a member of the Metropolitan Opera in New York. On the back, her name is hand written and there are some shorthand directions on how to fit the photo in a publication. Mishkin, NY is etched in the negative and her name is written in script at the bottom left. SIZE: 5 3/4" x 8". Geraldine Farrar (February 28, 1882 - March 11, 1967) was an American soprano opera singer and film actress, noted for her beauty, acting ability, and "the intimate timbre of her voice." She had a large following among young women, who were nicknamed "Gerry-flappers". 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 recorded extensively for the Victor Talking Machine Company and was often featured prominently in that firm's advertisements. She also appeared in silent movies, which were filmed between opera seasons. Farrar starred in more than a dozen films from 1915 to 1920, including Cecil B. DeMille's 1915 adaptation of Georges Bizet's opera Carmen. One of her most notable screen roles was as Joan of Arc in the 1917 film Joan the Woman. According to her biographer, Elizabeth Nash: Unlike most of the famous bel canto singers of the past who sacrificed dramatic action to tonal perfection, she was more interested in the emotional than in the purely lyrical aspects of her roles. According to Miss Farrar, until prima donnas can combine the arts of Sarah Bernhardt and Nellie Melba, dramatic ability is more essential than perfect singing in opera. ****** We provide in-house shipping. Low shipping costs! Combine items to save even more! Click on the Shipping tab below for details.

Very good condition with no tears--light surface wear/very light cracking. This was cut down from a larger photograph. Heavy weight paper.