Marjorie Florence Lawrence Australian opera singer (soprano) Date of Birth: 17.02.1907 Country: USA

Biography of Marjorie Florence Lawrence

Marjorie Florence Lawrence was an Australian opera singer (soprano) known for her interpretations of Richard Wagner's operas. She made history as the first soprano to ride a horse into the fire in the immolation scene of Wagner's opera "Götterdämmerung." Wagner had originally envisioned the role for a soprano.

In 1941, Lawrence was diagnosed with poliomyelitis, which greatly affected her singing career. However, she persevered and continued to perform, even teaching at the music school of Southern Illinois University Carbondale.

Born on February 17, 1907, in Deans Marsh, Victoria, Australia, Marjorie Lawrence was the fifth of six children of local butcher William Lawrence and church organist Elizabeth Smith. After her mother's death when she was two years old, Lawrence was raised by her paternal grandmother.

Lawrence developed an interest in opera after listening to gramophone recordings of Nellie Melba and Clara Butt. As a teenager, she won several vocal competitions and moved to Melbourne in search of work before financial difficulties forced her to return home. She took vocal lessons from Ivor Boustead but was unable to afford to continue. In 1928, she won the "Sun Aria" competition in Geelong.

Australian baritone John Brownlee advised her to study in Paris under the guidance of Cécile Gilly. Lawrence settled with a French family and diligently studied under Gilly, expanding the upper range of her voice. In January 1932, Lawrence made her opera debut in Monte Carlo, performing the role of Elisabeth in Wagner's "Tannhäuser." She then debuted at the Paris Opera Garnier on January 25, 1933, playing Ortrud in Wagner's "Lohengrin." In the same year, she performed in the world premiere of Joseph Canteloube's "Vercingétorix" as well.

On December 18, 1935, Lawrence made her Metropolitan Opera debut in the role of Brünnhilde in Wagner's "Die Walküre." She also performed in Wagner's "Götterdämmerung," where her training in horse riding in Australia came in handy for the role. Lawrence's energy and beauty made her popular among opera enthusiasts. Many believed that she performed Richard Strauss' "Dance of the Seven Veils" from "Salome" more convincingly than most other sopranos. British critic Neville Cardus praised her "uninhibited sensitivity" and "intimate poetry" in her performances, highlighting the impressive range of her powerful voice.

On March 29, 1941, Lawrence married Dr. Thomas King, an osteopath and member of the Christian Science movement. In the same year, she was unable to continue performing due to poliomyelitis during a performance in Mexico. Determined to overcome the paralysis in both her legs, Lawrence returned to the stage after 18 months in a specially designed chair. She performed semi-reclined on a specially prepared platform and ultimately retired from the stage in 1952.

During World War II in 1944, Lawrence participated in charity concerts to boost the morale of Australian troops. In 1946, she was awarded the Cross of the Legion of Honour for her work in France.

After December 1947, following successful concert performances of Richard Strauss' "Elektra," Lawrence rarely appeared on stage, focusing on teaching.

In 1976, Lawrence was appointed Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire on the recommendation of the Australian government. In her last years, she lived on her ranch in Harmony Hills in Hot Springs, Arkansas, where she taught foreign students until her death in 1979.

Although Lawrence is best known for her interpretations of Wagner's operas, she also excelled in other works, including Georges Bizet's "Salome" and "Carmen." She made several outstanding recordings, primarily of Wagner's works. Despite not being regarded as a great singer like her contemporary Kirsten Flagstad, Lawrence was recognized worldwide. Many believe that her poliomyelitis prevented her from expanding the boundaries of her popularity.