Mary Ethel Kaestner Peroni (29 July 1882 – ) was an American opera singer who was a dramatic soprano with the San Carlo Opera Company.
Mary Kaestner | |
|---|---|
 Mary Kaestner as Aïda, from a 1917 publication | |
| Born | Mary Ethel Kaestner 29 July 1882 |
| Nationality | American |
| Other names | Mary Kastner, Mary Peroni |
| Occupation | Opera singer |
| Years active | 1914–1917 |
| Known for | Three seasons with the San Carlo Opera Company |
| Spouse | Carlo Peroni |
Early life
editMary Kaestner was born in Iowa to German emigrant Adolf August Kästner, a butcher from Crimmitschau, Kingdom of Saxony, and Laura Bell Dodge from Indiana. She had two brothers and two sisters. Her parents divorced in 1892[2] and her father moved to Santa Ana, California in 1899.[3][4] She was sometimes incorrectly described as Viennese or German.[5][6]
Career
editKaestner was singing in Vienna when World War I began, and she returned to the United States.[7] She toured North America with the San Carlo Opera Company for three seasons,[8] from 1914[9] to 1917,[4] singing leading roles in Aïda,[10] Cavalleria rusticana,[11] Lohengrin, Pagliacci, Tosca, Faust, Il trovatore,[12] and La Gioconda.[13][14][15] "Mary Kaestner is one of those artists who has proved at each appearance that certainty and poise are her assets," commented a reviewer in 1917. "Besides her dramatic voice of unusual beauty, her acting is brilliant and brainy."[16]
Personal life
editIn 1919, Mary Kaestner married Italian opera conductor Carlo Peroni,[17] and retired from her stage career, saying "one famous person in a family is enough."[18] She survived as his widow when Peroni died in 1944.[19][20]
References
edit- ^ Iowa, U.S., Births and Christenings Index, 1800–1999
- ^ Colorado, Divorce Index, 1851–1985
- ^ "Kaestner Rites Are Held Today". The Register. September 11, 1934. p. 3. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
- ^ a b "American Prima Donna with San Carlo Opera". Musical America. 25: 45. November 25, 1916.
- ^ "Mme. Mary Kaestner, Dramatic Soprano with San Carlo Company". The Salina Daily Union. 1916-02-01. p. 4. Retrieved 2020-05-16 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Only German Artist with the San Carlo Grand Opera Company". Des Moines Tribune. 1916-01-05. p. 5. Retrieved 2020-05-16 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Mary Kaestner to Sing Lead in 'Aida'; She is Rated as One of the World's Greatest Songbirds". St. Joseph Gazette. 1917-01-24. p. 7. Retrieved 2020-05-16 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Mary Kaestner, San Carlo, Prima Donna, Has Scored Many Artistic Successes". The Daily Ardmoreite. 1917-11-18. p. 12. Retrieved 2020-05-16 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Grand Opera Pleasing and Well Given". The Daily Times. 1915-12-30. p. 6. Retrieved 2020-05-16.
- ^ "German Prima Donna Has 'Aida' Role with San Carlo Company". The La Crosse Tribune. 1915-12-29. p. 4. Retrieved 2020-05-16 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "She's a Stellar Santuzza". The Buffalo Times. 1915-11-11. p. 6. Retrieved 2020-05-16 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Mary Kaestner, Dramatic Soprano, Will Play Leonora in Il Trovatore Offered by San Carlo Opera Company Here This Year". The Topeka State Journal. 1917-10-06. p. 10. Retrieved 2020-05-16 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Mary Kaestner Wins Laurels as San Carlo Star" Musical America (February 10, 1917): 39.
- ^ "Mary Kaestner Wins Favor in 'Aïda' and 'Cavalleria'". Musical America. 25: 27. February 17, 1917.
- ^ "Present Two Operas". The Daily Times. 1915-12-31. p. 16. Retrieved 2020-05-16 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ de Valdor, Joseph (September 28, 1917). "Third and Last Week of the San Carlo Opera Company". Music News. 9: 22.
- ^ "Opera Conductor has Warm Place in his Heart for City". The Minneapolis Star. 1934-11-16. p. 3. Retrieved 2020-05-16 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Mrs. Carlo Peroni Prefers Brooklyn as Home Centre". Times Union. 1929-05-26. p. 6. Retrieved 2020-05-16 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Carlo Peroni, Noted Concert Leader, Dies". El Paso Times. 1944-03-14. p. 5. Retrieved 2020-05-16 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Carlo Peroni Dies; Opera Conductor; Music Director for San Carlo Company 20 Years Began His Career Under Mascagni". The New York Times. 1944-03-13. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2020-05-16.
