Pauline Lightstone Donalda, soprano, voice teacher and administrator (1882-1970)

On December 30, 1904, Canadian soprano Pauline Lightstone Donalda achieved the first major triumph of her career when she debuted in the title role of Jules Massenet's Manon. From that day forward, opera occupied a central role in Donalda's life. She sang in countless performances in European and American opera houses, alongside such operatic giants as Enrico Caruso, Nellie Melba and Antonio Scotti. Her involvement in opera continued even after her retirement from the stage in 1922. She opened a teaching studio in Paris and then Montréal, directing her energies toward nurturing promising young singers. She also founded and directed the Opera Guild of Montréal, an organization devoted to the enhancement of opera performance in Montréal. In all, Donalda devoted over 60 years of her life to opera, creating unforgettable performances and contributing significantly to the development of opera in Canada.

Pauline Lightstone Donalda - Childhood and Education

Pauline Lightstone Donalda - Early Career

Pauline Lightstone Donalda - Later Career

Pauline Lightstone Donalda - References