Pauline Viardot-Garcia by Disderi (5)

Pauline as Orphee in 'Orphee et Eurydice" Gluck

Pauline Viardot [née García] (July 18, 1821 – May 18, 1910) French mezzo-soprano,
Michelle Ferdinande Pauline García was born in Paris to the Garcías, a Spanish opera family led by her father, tenor, singing teacher, composer and impresario Manuel García . She was 13 years younger than her beautiful sister, diva Maria Malibran, In 1837, 16-year-old Pauline García gave her first concert performance in Brussels and in 1839, made her opera debut as Desdemona in Rossini's Otello in London. This proved to be the surprise of the season. Despite her flaws, she had an exquisite technique combined with an astonishing degree of passion.