A prominent star in both pre-Revolutionary Russia and New York, Lina Cavalieri, described as "the most beautiful woman in the world," was one of the most frequently photographed personalities of her time. The cabaret performer, courtesan, and international star is documented in this, her first English-language biography. Researched from Russian archive sources, the book details her career from her early experiences in cafe-chantant and variety theatre in Paris, London, and St. Petersburg, through a highly successful operatic career in which she sang in many of the world's leading opera houses with such celebrities as Caruso and Ruffo. In 1914, Cavalieri became the first great opera singer to appear in silent movies, making her debut in Manon Lescaut and continuing with a series of successful films. Her life was ended by an Allied air raid in World War II. The book includes excerpts from period reviews, programmes, posters, and many previously unseen photographs. Appendices include a bibliography, filmography, discography, and chronology of stage performances (dates, venues, work, cast, conductor).

About the Author
Paul Fryer is associate director of research and director of the Stanislavski Centre at Rose Bruford College of Theatre and Performance. He is co-editor of the e.journal Stanislavski Studies and lives in Kent, United Kingdom.

Linguist teacher and translator Olga Usova is the chief bibliographer and head of the department of rare books at the Academy of Art and Design in St. Petersburg, Russia.

Reviews
Valuable." -The Opera Quarterly

"A great addition." -Opera Nostalgia



Book Information
ISBN 9780786416851
Author Paul Fryer
Format Paperback
Page Count 210
Imprint McFarland & Co Inc
Publisher McFarland & Co Inc
Weight(grams) 395g