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| SOLD This scarce and superb image was photographed by the famous Reutlinger of Paris, and published as an oranotype by Steglitz in 1904. |
On Christmas day, in 1874, she was born Natalina Cavalieri. Orphaned at fifteen, she was placed in a Catholic institution, but bridling at the harsh discipline, ran away from the nuns and joined a traveling theater troupe. Arriving in Paris, she sang at first in small venues, always studying voice, and eventually became a great operatic soprano, making her debut in Lisbon Portugal, in the year 1900 as Nedda in Ruggero Leoncavallo's Pagliacci. She was widely considered to be the most beautiful woman in the world.
On February 7th, 1944, some years after retiring from the stage and returning with her husband to her native Italy, La Cavalieri and her husband were killed at their home during an allied bombing raid.
Our thanks to
Wikipedia for much of our information about
La Cavalieri.
You can also read more about the Reutlinger Photography Studio (
Atelier Reutlinger) on the
Wonderings blog.
Nicely done! I look forward to future postings!
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