BETWEEN CABARET AND OPERA. By Maximillien de Lafayette

Talking about Cabaret without referring to Opera would be a musical betrayal, for OPERA originated folk music and cabaret repertoires. Contrary to the general belief, Opera did not come to life as a CLASSICAL ART PLATFORM. It was created in the streets and tavernas of small cities and towns in Italy, as well as in small "Relais" and "boites de plaisance" in France to entertain the high society and the middle society as well. In many small Italian villages, Opera was the favorite musical attraction and form of entertainment for the farmers, peasants and even the poor class. Thus, paying homage to the early Divas of the American Opera and including them in this work is very a propos. On the following pages, we have listed the early Opera stars known for their operatic virtuosity and active involvement in folkloric music and cabaret performances. Ironically enough, the appellation "Femmes Fatales" was crafted and accorded to the early Opera singers and not to the "boites chanteuses" and diseuses of cabarets" as they were called in the early days and  nights of the Parisian cabaret. Worthy mentioning that Maria Callas began her career as a cabaret singer in Greece in the neighborhood of Pyrhea.

UNITED KINGDOM AND UNITED STATES PF AMERICA GREATEST OPERA SINGERS OF ALL TIME

     

                              Florence Cole-Tablet                  Maggie Teyte                        Edna Thornton                   Edna Thursby

       

                                      Olive Townend                              Eva Turner                           Jeanette McDonald                          Lucille Marcel

    

                                              Jane Margyl                                                   Nelly Martyl                                              Rosa Ponselle  CONTINUES NEXT