Description

JOVITA FLORES FUENTES (CAPIZ (NOW ROXAS CITY), PHILIPPINES, FEBRUARY 15, 1895 – MANILA, PHILIPPINES, AUGUST 7, 1978)

At the beginning of the 20th century, she came to Europe and gave guest performances in the title roles of G. Puccini’s Madama Butterfly and P. Mascagni’s Iris. At that time, the authentic representation of these roles by Japanese and other Asian artists, following the example of the Japanese soprano Tamaki Miura, came into fashion. She appeared with success in Holland, France, England, and Germany. On German operatic stages, she also sang Salome in R. Strauss’s opera of the same name.

In 1930, she performed at the Oper Frankfurt as Cio-Cio-San in Madama Butterfly and as Liù in G. Puccini’s Turandot. In North America, she appeared during the 1930s with the San Carlo Opera Company. She was also active as a concert singer.

After her retirement, she opened an opera school in Manila and exerted a major influence on the musical life of her native country, the Philippines. She was honored with the title “First Lady of Philippine Music.”

TRACKLIST

Aling Puso (Molina) 16407 Parlophon

Arimunding Munding Parlophon

Bohème (Puccini) Sì, mi chiamano Mimì P9320 2-20907 Parlophon, Berlin 1928-09-11

Bohème (Puccini) Wo ich selig von Glück (It) P9320 2-20908 Parlophon, Berlin 1928-09-11

El Canto del Expatriado (Trapaga) 16407 Parlophon

Iris (Mascagni) Spora malata P8531 2-21375 Parlophon, Berlin 1929-04-22

Kundiman (Abdon) Parlophon

Madama Butterfly (Puccini) L’ultima scena P9106 2-20126-2 Parlophon, Berlin 1929-04-22

Madama Butterfly (Puccini) Un bel dì P9106 2-20125-2 Parlophon, Berlin 1929-04-22