Famed singer and author Geraldine Farrar was educated in public schools and then became a music student of Mrs. J.H. Long, Trabadello, Emma Thursby, Lilli Lehman and Graziani. Her 1901 debut was at the Royal Opera House in Berlin, in the role of Marguerite in "Faust". From 1906 to 1922 she was a member of the Metropolitan Opera in New York. During World War II she was active in the Red Cross and the AWVS, and she also made many lecture tours. She wrote two autobiographies. Joining ASCAP in 1936, her songwriting credits include "Ecstasy of Spring", "Here Beauty Dwells", "The Tryst", "The Alder Tree", "The Mirage", "Oh, Thou Field of Waving Corn", "Morning", "The Fountain", "The Dream", and "Love Comes and Goes" (all based on the music of Sergei Rachmaninoff ). Also, "The Whole World Knows", "Dear Homeland" and "Fair Rosemarin" (all based on Fritz Kreisler themes". Also, "Tears" (based on a theme by Modest Mussorgsky ).
Buried in Kensico Cemetery, Valhalla, New York - Section 167, Lot 1B1 (behind the big Cobb Mausoleum)American opera star from the Metropolitan Opera (1906-1922) who was summoned to films briefly by Cecil B. DeMille and starred in a few of his early pictures, among others. Once wed to silent screen actor Lou Tellegen , who later committed suicide.One of the most famous opera singers of the early twentieth century.She made a recording of a famous opera duet with her friend and frequent stage co-star, legendary tenor Enrico Caruso . Caruso had had a drink before the recording session, and at one point on the record, according to nearly all sources, Farrar can be clearly heard singing (in place of the original words) the line "He had a highball".Highly regarded as one of the great beauties of her day, as well as one of the great voices of all time, she had a long, passionate affair with Arturo Toscanini during his years as chief conductor at the Metropolitan Opera (1908 - 1915). It was supposedly Farrar's ultimatum that she would make the affair public if Toscanini did not leave his wife for her that led to Toscanini's abrupt resignation from the company. Many years later, when Farrar served caviar at a reception for Toscanini, the latter was heard to remark, "Amazing. I slept with the woman for seven years and she still can't remember that I hate fish."When acting in silent films, demanded a pianist and a violinist on the set to provide mood music, a string trio for especially dramatic scenes.She was awarded 2 Stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Motion Pictures at 1620 Vine Street and for Recording at 1709 Vine Street in Hollywood, California.
The cigarette girl fights with another from the factory and is given to the custody of Don Jose who is smitten by her. In the city she falls for the bullfighter Escamillo. Jealous Don Jose stabs her outside the bullring.