The Sopranos: 1920

Gina Ciaparelli-Viafora was an Italian born mezzo who was married to a sculptor named Gianni Viafora who was apparently well enough known to Giacomo Puccini that he introduced the composer on a recording made before his return to Italy in 1908. Gina appeared on a number of occasions at the Met between about 1907 and 1910 playing Mimi in La Boheme.

Evelyn Herbert (1898-1975) studied with Caruso in New York. He persuaded the Chicago opera to hire her, however she developed voice problems and had to retrain. She became popular on the Broadway stage performing in operettas, most famously as Barbara Frietchie in "My Maryland" and in Oscar Hammerstein II's "New Moon." This photo may date from the period when she was retraining her voice.

This is sad, as the treasured photos they have on the walls are probably the unnamed ones I see in various flea markets selling for ten cents apiece. Name and date the backs of your photos now. Then make sure your children get them.

When she sings.

Must be some hard-working sopranos!