Pauline Donalda | The Canadian Encyclopedia

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Pauline Donalda

Pauline Donalda, stage name of Pauline Lightstone, soprano, teacher, administrator (b at Montréal 5 Mar 1882; d there 22 Oct 1970). Known for her contribution to lyrical art in Montréal, she was a pupil of Clara Lichtenstein and travelled to Paris on a grant from arts patron Lord STRATHCONA.

Donalda, Pauline

Pauline Donalda, stage name of Pauline Lightstone, soprano, teacher, administrator (b at Montréal 5 Mar 1882; d there 22 Oct 1970). Known for her contribution to lyrical art in Montréal, she was a pupil of Clara Lichtenstein and travelled to Paris on a grant from arts patron Lord STRATHCONA. With Massenet's help she made her debut in Nice in 1904. Later she performed at Covent Garden, sang with Caruso and, in 1906, made her professional Canadian debut at the Montreal Arena. She pursued her career in New York, at the Opéra-Comique in Paris and in Russia. In 1922 she devoted herself entirely to teaching. She settled in Montréal in 1937, where she founded the Opera Guild in 1942.