Untitled | The Museum of Jewish Montreal

Pauline Donalda (1882-1970), born Lightstone, was an opera singer of international renown. Born in Montreal to a family of Eastern European immigrants, she studied opera at the Conservatoire de Paris with financial support from the influential politician Donald Smith (Lord Strathcona). She later adopted the stage name “Donalda” in tribute to this sponsorship. After a successful debut in Nice, France, in 1904, her artistic career progressed rapidly: in 1905, she sang at London’s Covent Garden for the Queen of England and at the Opéra de la Monnaie in Bruxelles; in 1906, she sang alongside tenor Enrico Caruso in an opera by Verdi. These performances earned her tremendous acclaim. In the same year, she joined the Manhattan Opera House, founded by the American musical comedy composer and producer Oscar Hammerstein. When the First World War broke out, she suspended her career and organized benefit concerts to support the war effort.

From 1922 on, she devoted herself to teaching voice. Twenty years later, in 1942, she founded the Opera Guild of Montreal, which went on to stage the first Canadian performances of many operas. Among the first women to promote opera, Donalda made an exceptional contribution to the development of the arts in Canada. In so doing, she helped promote both the country and the Jewish community worldwide. In 1967, she was made an Officer of the Order of Canada.

Compiled by Valérie Beauchemin, translated by Helge Dascher.

Sources

Brotman, R. C. Pauline Donalda: The Life and Career of a Canadian Prima Donna. Montreal: Eagle Pub., 1975.

Guttman, Irving. “Pauline Donalda: A Memorial Tribute.” Opera Canada 11, No. 4 (1970): 11-13.

King, Joe. Les Juifs de Montreal : trois siècles de parcours exceptionnels. Outremont : Les Éditions Carte Blanche, 2002.

Potvin, Gilles. « Pauline Donalda ». L’Encyclopedie canadienne. Apr. 29, 2007, Online.

*Images Courtesy of the Jewish Public Library Archives, The Canadian Jewish Congress Charities Committee National Archives (CJCCCNA), and the McCord Museum.