Description

RENA VIVIENNE (MCALISTER, 1880 – NEW YORK CITY, 8 JUNE, 1948)

 

 

 

 

She studied in Paris, Berlin, and Milan and began her career in 1906 with the Savage Opera Company. With this troupe, she performed as Kate Pinkerton in the American premiere of Puccini’s Madama Butterfly on October 15, 1906, at the Columbia Theatre in Washington, D.C., alongside Elsa Szamozy, Joseph E. Sheehan, and Winfred Goff. During the remainder of the tour, she alternated with Elsa Szamozy in the title role of the same opera.

She later continued her vocal studies with Victor Maurel in New York, but eventually shifted her focus to musical comedy and operetta, where her striking appearance and spirited stage presence made her a natural fit. She retired from her career in the early 1920s.

Her only recordings are scenes from Madame Butterfly, recorded on Columbia in 1907 following the Savage Company tour.

 

 

TRACKLIST

 

 

Madama Butterfly (Puccini) Bimba dagli occhi pieni di malia (w. Stiles) Columbia A5102 30161

Madama Butterfly (Puccini) Che tua madre Columbia A5104 30157

Madama Butterfly (Puccini) Letter Duet (w. Richards) Columbia A 5104 30155

Madama Butterfly (Puccini) Scuoti quella fronda di ciliegio (w. Behnee) Columbia A5105 30155

Madama Butterfly (Puccini) Solo and Humming Chorus Columbia 30153 A 5105

Madama Butterfly (Puccini) Tu, tu, piccolo iddio (w. Richards & Stiles) Columbia A5106 30160

Madama Butterfly (Puccini) Un bel dì, vedremo Columbia A5103 30156