Mary Garden - At Dawning

[rupepill]

And, thank you very much for posting the recording.

[rupepill]

Whether this is playing slightly faster than the original recording speed, and whether the song itself might be found by some listeners to be slightly (or greatly) over sentimental, when the singer is Mary Garden the result is worth hearing. A grand artist and a great encourager of young singers. Jose Mojica, the Mexican tenor, wrote in his autobiography (I A Sinner) very gratefully of Garden's help to him when he was on the Chicago Opera roster, under her management.

[KenBoesem]

This song (not this recording) was also used as the theme song of soap opera creator Irna Phillips last radio soap opera The Brighter Day in 1948.

[rcasr143]

Growing up in the 1950's my Dad loved this song but as a child I did not. And I could not even remember the song. How fitting that on Father 's Day 2009 I found the song on this website. I played it as I wished my deceased father Happy Father's Day. I hope he could hear playing.

[stan724]

I just listened to this again; don't know how many times, but still love it. I wish someone would post Garden's recording of In the Gloaming -- another lovely performance. I think she was accompanied on the Wanamaker organ. Still another of her recordings is Annie Laurie, to piano accompaniment.

[AulicExclusiva]

She sings this with a wonderfully rapt, glamorous quality which is 100% Mary Garden. Love it.

I do think this is played a little fast.

[ratisbon]

When Garden took over 'Louise' she was already sitting in the auditorium in full costume under a cloak. She had been on the payroll of the Opera-Comique for some time as the leading soprano had shown signs of illness. Red more in 'Mary Garden' (Scolar Press, 1997).

[ratisbon]

The film with Garden in the desert was 'Thais' directed by Sam Goldwyn. There's a copy at MOMA, New York and in the British Library. Dr Oliver Davies adapted and performed a verson of Massenet's music for a screening in London some time ago.

[stan724]

Mary Garden's operatic career began in Paris in middle of a performance of Louise in 1900 when the lead soprano became indisposed, and lasted until around 1930, maybe '34, mostly in Chicago. In the early 1950s, she coached some young singers in New York, including the young Beverly Sills in Thais. Mary was one of a kind. She and Melba were friends only because Garden wasn't a coloratura. The divine Melba was perhaps the biggest bitch that ever occupied an operatic stage.

[merrihew]

So I've heard.

[stan724]

I happened to remember later that it was Manon and not Thais that Garden coached Beverly Sills in. There's an old silent movie of Garden in the role of Manon, circa 1916, filmed in St. Augustine, Fla. Plenty of sand there to simulate the desert.

[ratisbon]

Yes. Of course she gave the impression that she just happened to be there. However, the records of the Opera-Comique show that she had been on the payroll for some weeks, attending rehearsals, as there were already signs that the soprano playing the lead was not well. Garden had also been coached by the American soprano Sibyl Sanderson, in whose home she was staying. The full story is in 'Mary Garden' (Scolar Press, 1997).

[merrihew]

In the late '20's, a record review magazine played some records 100 times each on a big orthophonic and compared with unplayed. They say they couldn't hear the difference. I upgraded my camera/mike after this posting. Check out the Ponselle Ernani.

[merrihew]

I did my yearly maintenance on the machine and it affected the speed (slightly too fast). It has since been corrected. I'm sure you shudder at my playing records on this phono but I am only doing it for Youtube. I use Laubscher needles and the tracking alignment is perfect.

[melbapatti]

Is that machine a Borgia? Fabulous sound. I worked with Ward Marston on the Romophone CD of Garden's Victors. This selection plays in G-flat, not G. It is a common mistake, and although she sounds YOUNGER in G, she sound BEAUTIFUL in the correct key

[mrfabulocity]

What a beautiful recording. Mary Garden was an important influence on Grace Moore who in turn was a great influence on Dorothy Kirsten.

Miss Garden's voice is lovely.

[merrihew]

Just the microphone in a digital camera. Sound isn't bad. The acoustics in the room are quite good. Big problem is a 3 min. max. I've ordered a camcorder that can record up to 30 min. and accept a real microphone. I may redo some of these clips.

[bmcneese45]

Lovely. Mary's voice projects so well through your playback system.

[kspm01]

Sublime artistry, thank you!