Dora de Phillippe

Dora de Phillippe (born October 16, 1887 – died after February 1931), born Dora Auspitz, was a French soprano opera singer, based in North America, also known for her work in war relief during World War I.

Dora de Phillippe
Dora de Phillippe, from a 1916 publication
Born
Dora Auspitz

1887
Paris
NationalityFrench
Other namesDora de Fillippe, Dora Auspitz de Fillippe, Dora Phinney
Occupationsinger
Years active1902-1931
Known forMadame Butterfly

Early life

Dora Auspitz was born in Paris, the daughter of Jules Auspitz and Augustine Bruckner Auspitz.[1] She trained as a singer in Berlin and Vienna. Her publicity said she was of "French-Austrian heritage" and that her father was a banker and a writer.[2]

Career
American Red Cross - Classes in Red Cross Work - Dora de Phillippe is seated at right, remaking kid gloves into vests for soldiers; NARA - 20802078

Dora de Phillippe first performed in the United States in 1902,[3] and was already "an accomplished lieder singer", playing soubrette parts in San Francisco, by 1904.[4][5] She sang with the National Opera of Canada, the Chicago Grand Opera Company, and the Aborn Opera Company, among others.[6][7][8] She was one of the first to perform Madama Butterfly in English for American audiences,[9] and was credited with singing the part of Cio-Cio-San more than any other singer at the time.[10] She also sang the part in Italian.[11]

De Phillippe's other roles included Nedda in Pagliacci and Micaela in Carmen.[12] In 1916, she began as a Chautauqua presenter,[10] hoping to bring opera to untraditional audiences outside major cities.[13][14]

During World War I, de Phillippe was active in warwork, publicizing American Red Cross efforts to provide warm clothing for soldiers, and giving benefit concerts for the Red Cross[15] and for Liberty Bonds.[16] Her rendition of La Marseillaise was especially sought, because "the hymn is rarely given with greater fervor than when she sings it."[17]

After the war and in widowhood, de Phillippe continued on stage[18] and on the Chautauqua circuit.[19] She headed her own touring company in 1926.[20] She also continued giving concerts for charities, including for the Blind Relief Fund of Philadelphia in 1927.[21] In 1931, she sang a recital in New York City.[22]

Personal life

Dora de Phillippe married American theatrical manager Arthur S. Phinney in 1909.[23] Phinney died in 1920.[24][25]

References
  1. International Who's who in Music and Musical Gazetteer (Current Literature Publishing Company 1918): 490-491.
  2. Dora de Phillippe, 1916 program, in the Redpath Chautauqua Collection, University of Iowa Libraries.
  3. Johnson Briscoe, The actors' birthday book (Moffatt, Yard and Company 1908): 235.
  4. "Pianist and Singer Max Heinrich Also has Creative Skill" The San Francisco Call (September 4, 1904): 19. via Newspapers.com
  5. "Gifted Young Star Cast to Sing Yvonne" The San Francisco Call (September 14, 1904): 2. via Newspapers.com
  6. "Dora de Phillippe in Opera" The Musical Leader (July 4, 1918): 9.
  7. "Aborn Welcomed by Capacity Audiences" Musical America (May 13, 1916): 58.
  8. "To Appear in Grand Operas 'Thais' and 'Mme. Butterfly'" Detroit Free Press (May 23, 1911): 3. via Newspapers.com
  9. "Dora de Phillippe in Songs" New York Times (November 26, 1919): 11. via ProQuest
  10. "Madame Dora de Phillippe, Former Prima Donna of Chicago Opera Co., Will Be Heard in City" Altoona Times (June 19, 1916): 12. via Newspapers.com
  11. "An Admirable Butterfly" The Gazette (January 9, 1914): 3. via Newspapers.com
  12. "Dora de Phillippe Praised as Nedda and Micaela" Musical Courier (July 11, 1918): 39.
  13. K. S. C., "Sees Lower Middle Class As Our Future Opera Lovers" Musical America (June 10, 1916): 35.
  14. "Chautauqua Patrons in Morgantown, W. Va., Acclaim Dora de Phillippe" Musical America (July 15, 1916): 29.
  15. "Midland Beach Red Cross Carnival" Musical Courier (July 4, 1918): 15.
  16. "De Phillippe to Sing for New Loan" The Musical Leader (October 3, 1918): 318.
  17. "Mme. de Phillippe to Sing the 'Marseillaise'" Musical Courier (October 3, 1918): 43.
  18. "Lyric" The Baltimore Sun (December 29, 1921): 4. via Newspapers.com
  19. "Programs Please New Ulm People" New Ulm Review (June 21, 1922): 1. via Newspapers.com
  20. "Fine Performance by De Phillippe Co." The Free Lance (March 25, 1926): 5.
  21. "Concert for Charity" The Philadelphia Inquirer (May 27, 1927): 2. via Newspapers.com
  22. "Dora de Phillippe Heard" New York Times (February 18, 1931): 14. via ProQuest
  23. "Gossip of the Stage" Brooklyn Daily Eagle (April 8, 1909): 22. via Newspapers.com
  24. "Arthur S. Phinney Passes On" Musical Courier (June 10, 1920): 57.
  25. "A. S. Phinney, Manager of Many Shows, is Dead" New-York Tribune (June 7, 1920): 6. via Newspapers.com
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