themet

Mabel Garrison (1886-1963) was a popular coloratura soprano.  "She made her Metropolitan Opera debut on February 15, 1914 in concert, singing arias from operas by Verdi and Mozart." [1] The cover of the catalog she is holding is "New Victor Records • November, 1918" which may provide further clues as to why these photos were in the news at this time..... she made several recordings for the Victor Talking Machine Company.  Mabel Garrison performed in "Cavalleria Rusticana" and "Le Coq d'Or" at the Metropolitan Opera in 1918 as well as the "Twelfth Sunday Concert", "Nineteenth Sunday Concert" and a "Special Performance". [2]   A number of these recordings are available on You Tube in excellent quality. There are several photographs of Mabel Garrison in The Bain Collection.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julien_%28opera%29 Geraldine Farrar and Enrico Caruso performed in Julien at the Metropolitan Opera in 1914 For more info, see www.flickr.com/photos/library_of_congress/4998800690/

And later in 1914, Farrar and Caruso were together again in "Carmen." New York Times story, November 20, 1914: query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=9A05E2DA1738E6...

swang and Wystan: thanks for the additional information about Farrar. We will include some of it in the record for the image when we update.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geraldine_Farrar 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"

The six opera singers in this series likely were in the news in September 1919. "The Metropolitan Opera Company last night made public its prospectus for 1919-20, which is being mailed to subscribers this week. "Seventy leading singers are announced of whom fifteen are new. The additions are six sopranos ... Edna Kellogg ... five contraltos ... Gabriella Besanzoni. "Among the singers ... are ... Adamo Didur, Millo Picco, Margaret Romaine ... as well as others of those heard in former years on Broadway" [i.e. Mary Ellis]. – The New York Times, September 22, 1919

"Mary Ellis (June 15, 1897 – January 30, 2003) was an American star of the stage, as well as radio, television and film and opera singer, best known for her roles in the genre of musical theatre, particularly those of Ivor Novello. After appearing with the Metropolitan Opera beginning in 1918, later appearing opposite Enrico Caruso, she acted on Broadway, creating the title role in Rose-Marie. In 1930, she emigrated to England, where she gained additional fame and continued to perform into the 1990s. She was also well known for her film roles, including The 3 Worlds of Gulliver in 1960. She became a centenarian in 1998 and died in London on January 30, 2003, aged 105. She had the distinction of being the last surviving performer to have created a role in a Puccini opera and the last to have sung opposite Caruso." en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_Ellis

Pixel Wrangler and Art Siegel: Thank you for the details about the long life and varied career of singer Mary Ellis. We will add more to the description.