Mabel Garrison, Brilliant Coloratura Soprano
Mabel Garrison was born in Baltimore in1886. She finished
her undergraduate work in 1903 and went on to study singing at Peabody
Conservatory. She studied with George Siemonn and then studied further with
Oscar Saenger and Herbert Witherspoon in New York. She made her debut in 1912
with the Aborn Opera Company as Philine in Mignon. She made her Metropolitan
Opera debut on February 15, 1914 in concert, singing arias from operas by Verdi
and Mozart. Her first role at the Met was Frasquita in Bizet's Carmen. Other
roles included Adina in L'Elisir d'Amore, Bertha in Euryanthe, Biancofiore in
Francesca da Rimini, Crobyle in Thaïs, the Dew Fairy in Hansel and Gretel,
Gilda in Rigoletto, Lady Harriet in Martha, Oscar in Un Ballo in Maschera,the
Queen of the Night in The Magic Flute,Rosina in Il Barbiere di Siviglia, and
Urbain in Les Huguenots.. Her last performance at the Met was as the title role
in Lucia di Lammermoor 1921. First, here is the Garrison voice in its
prime, in the Doll Song from Hoffman:
Mabel Garrison died in New York City on August 20, 1963
8 comments:
Hearing "Dixie" brought back memories of my earlier years in the 1960s in Tennessee.
When someone played "Dixie" in a bar or a restaurant, everyone stood up and sang loudly. It was a surprise to up transplants from the north.
Thanks! Good comment on Dixie! Quite a rendition, isn't it? Edmund
Growing up in the deep South, we sang at each morning assembly, both the Star Spangled Banner and Dixie, standing and saluting hand-on-heart, for both. Thanks, Douglas for yet another great American singer from the acoustic period.
Garrison is a wonderful artist, yet another who seems all but forgotten, so special thanks for this fine presentation. PS: Not to take away from Garrison's thunder, but Mary Lewis also has a wonderful version of Dixie, and believe it or not on a 12-inch Victor from 1905 Emma Eames (of all singers), after performing the Star Spangled Banner, sings Dixie. Again, thank you, Edmund!
Yes, she is brilliant! I like her flute-like voice very much. Thanks for the article.
n.a.
Hi there. I found your blog after looking at Wilson & Keppel's sand dance on your YouTube channel. I'm trying to find that particular performance of the music and wonder if you could tell me where you found your version? Any help would be hugely appreciated. emily@objectiveproductions.com
Hi there. I found your blog after looking at Wilson & Keppel's sand dance on your YouTube channel. I'm trying to find that particular performance of the music and wonder if you could tell me where you found your version? Any help would be hugely appreciated. emily@objectiveproductions.com
Hi there. I found your blog via your YouTube channel. Trying to find that exact version of Ballet Egyptien used on the Wilson & Keppel Sand Dance clip. I wonder if you could tell me where you found your video so that I can try and source that? Any help hugely appreciated. emilyblickem@objectiveproductions.com
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