Original Verdi Club Program

Original program from a 1938 concert given by the Verdi Club, the musical society of which notoriously awful soprano Florence Foster Jenkins was the founder and president. The concert, a "Morning Musicale" on November 9, 1938, featured the music of Renato Bellini, performed by Bellini at the piano and Thalia Sabanieeva, soprano. The front cover of the program prominently displays Jenkins' name, below a raised gold bust of Verdi. Distinguished guests and honorary members listed on the inside cover include Enrico Caruso and Moritz Rosenthal. 4 pp. Fold partially split, with two small repairs in archival tape; one heavy folding crease; light pencil remnants at the head of the cover; overall in very good condition. 6 x 8.25 inches (15.2 x 21 cm).

Florence Foster Jenkins, born in 1868 in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania to a well-to-do family, has become a legend as “the world’s worst opera singer.” Jenkins began giving private vocal recitals in 1912, when she was in her early forties. In 1917, she became founder and "President Soprano Hostess" of her own social organization, the Verdi Club, dedicated to "fostering a love and patronage of Grand Opera in English". Its membership quickly swelled to over 400; honorary members included Enrico Caruso. Two different full-length biographies of Jenkins and three full-length movies based on her story have appeared within the last few years. However, autograph material and other historical memorabilia of Jenkins is of the utmost rarity.   (15092)

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Program, unsigned

Opera

Classical Music

• Sold