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Florence Foster JenkinsAmerican opera singer (soprano)
Country:
 USA |
Content:
- Biography of Florence Foster Jenkins
- Escape and Marriage
- After the Divorce
- Rise to Fame
- The Eccentric Performer
- Legacy and Death
Biography of Florence Foster Jenkins
Early Life and Musical EducationFlorence Foster Jenkins was born on July 19, 1868, in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. Her parents, Charles Dorrance Foster and Mary Jane Hoagland, provided her with a good education and she took music lessons as a young girl. Unfortunately, she had neither a good singing voice nor a sense of pitch. Despite this, Florence expressed her desire to continue her musical education abroad and become an unmatched opera artist.
Escape and Marriage
Facing opposition from her father, who refused to support her dreams, Florence ran away from home to Philadelphia with Frank Thornton Jenkins, a doctor. They got married in 1885, but the marriage was unhappy as her husband did not approve of her artistic inclinations. They eventually divorced in 1902.
After the Divorce
After the divorce, Florence remained in Philadelphia and supported herself by teaching and playing the piano. In 1908, she met St. Clair Bayfield, a theater actor who later became her manager. Their relationship lasted until the end of her life. When her father passed away in 1909, Florence inherited a substantial fortune, which finally allowed her to pursue her singing career. She took vocal lessons from an undisclosed opera diva and became involved in the music circles of Philadelphia and New York City, where she founded the Verdi Music Lovers' Club.
Rise to Fame
In 1912, Florence started performing concerts, initially financing her own shows. By 1928, when her mother passed away, she had gained significant wealth. Despite being 60 years old at the time, Florence had no intention of retiring from the stage. Over time, she became not just a celebrity but a legend. Her repertoire consisted of works by Mozart, Verdi, Strauss, and Brahms, which were far beyond her technical abilities. According to eyewitnesses, even her loyal accompanist, Cosmé McMoon, often had to hide his laughter behind her back.
The Eccentric Performer
Florence had a penchant for elaborate costumes that she designed herself. She often appeared on stage dressed as an "Angel of Inspiration," wearing an exquisite silk dress with cardboard wings attached to her back. While this may have suited a young slender girl, it created an additional comedic effect on the corpulent older lady. Despite this, her concerts were always packed with audiences who were eager to witness her performances. The pinnacle of her career came with her performance at Carnegie Hall on October 25, 1944. Tickets were sold out weeks in advance, despite the ongoing war, economic crisis, and high prices. The resounding applause often drowned out the laughter in the hall.
Legacy and Death
Florence Foster Jenkins passed away just one month later, on November 26, 1944, having fulfilled her dream. Florence wanted to sing, and she sang. The rest, in the end, was inconsequential.
