Polina Viardo French singer, author of romances and comic operas with librettos. Date of Birth: 06.07.1821 Country: France

1. Biography of Pauline Michelle Ferdinand Viardot
2. Early Life and Education
3. Music Career
4. Later Years and Legacy

Biography of Pauline Michelle Ferdinand Viardot

Pauline Viardot-Garcia was a renowned French singer and author of many musical works. She was born on July 6, 1821 in Paris, France. Viardot-Garcia was the daughter of Manuel Garcia, a famous singer, and the sister of the renowned Maria Malibran.

Early Life and Education

Viardot-Garcia received vocal training from her father, piano lessons from Franz Liszt, and composition lessons from Anton Reicha. She possessed a magnificent mezzo-soprano voice with an exceptional range and great stage talent.

Music Career

In 1837, Viardot-Garcia began performing in concerts, quickly establishing herself as a prominent figure on the opera stages of London and Paris by 1839. She excelled in performing Russian repertoire. Viardot-Garcia toured extensively, visiting cities such as Madrid, Vienna, Berlin, Edinburgh, Dublin, London, Moscow, and St. Petersburg. It was in St. Petersburg that she formed a lifelong friendship with Ivan Turgenev, who became deeply connected to Viardot-Garcia and her family.

Viardot-Garcia's notable achievements include creating the role of Fides in Meyerbeer's "Le Prophète" in 1849 and the title role in Gounod's "Sappho" in 1851. In 1860, she achieved tremendous success in the revival of Gluck's "Orphée."

Aside from her performances, Viardot-Garcia also composed three comic operas with librettos by Turgenev ("L'ogre," "Le dernier magicien," "Trop de femmes"), a series of romances with French lyrics, twelve romances with Russian lyrics (featuring the words of Pushkin, Fet, Tyutchev, Lermontov, and Koltsov), and arranged six of Chopin's Mazurkas for voice.

Later Years and Legacy

Viardot-Garcia retired from the stage in 1863 but continued to perform in concerts, often showcasing works by Russian composers. She also played a significant role in the musical education of several Russian and foreign singers. In addition to her musical talents, Viardot-Garcia was a skilled pianist, a talented artist, a captivating conversationalist, and a polyglot.

Viardot-Garcia was a close friend of Ivan Turgenev, and many credit her for inspiring and supporting his writing career. She played a vital role in introducing Turgenev's works to the Western world. Turgenev passed away in her home, leaving her a substantial portion of his estate, including Pushkin's talismanic ring and a locket containing the great poet's hair, which she returned to Russia.

Viardot-Garcia's correspondence with Turgenev has not been fully published. She passed away in Paris in 1910. Her three daughters gained recognition as opera singers, and her son, Paul, became a talented violinist.