Jenny Dufau

Jenny Dufau (1878–1924) was a French opera singer who found her success in Chicago.

Dufau was born on 18 July 1878 in Rothau, Alsace-Lorraine.[1] She began her career with the Chicago Grand Opera Company in 1911 after studying opera in Berlin under Etelka Gerster. In Chicago, Dufau was a lead soprano, nicknamed the "smallest soprano". She performed in operas such as Die Walküre, The Barber of Seville, and I gioielli della Madonna. In 1914, she sang the title role in Massenet's Manon for the Boston Opera Company.[2] In 1916, Dufau shifted her focus to singing concerts nation-wide, notably at the Ravinia Festival, Hamilton Park (Chicago), and Symphony Hall, Boston. The American composer Frank La Forge wrote songs for her which she performed at these concerts.

Dufau also participated in a burgeoning art form called "Cinema Concerts", in which she sang with silent films. In 1916, she performed with the film The Law Decides. Dufau returned to Europe following the end of World War I and died on 29 August 1924 in Pau, France.[1]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Classical Music July 18" at classicalmanac.com
  2. ↑ "Joseph Urban Papers, 1893–1998", Columbia University Libraries: Rare Book & Manuscript Library

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