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Genia Fonariova

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Genia Fonariova, from a 1921 publication.
Genia Fonariova, from a 1920 publication.

Genia Fonariova, also seen as Eugenie Baron-Fonariova, was a Russian-born singer.

Early life

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Genia Fonariova was born in Odessa, and began her music career in Petrograd, Russia.[1] She also performed in Brussels and London[2][3] before moving to New York City during World War I.[4]

Career in the United States

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In 1916 Fonariova was part of a program at the Manhattan Opera House with pianist Leo Ornstein and conductor Oscar Spirescu.[5] Fonariova sang in a Russian-themed fundraising concert for Liberty Bonds in 1918, at Carnegie Hall, sharing the bill with Sergei Prokofiev, among others.[6] She gave a recital at New York's Aeolian Hall in 1920,[7] a performance that caused a New York Times writer to say that "Her concert was a welcome reminder that Russian music is not merely a reflection of nature, but a crystallization in art of the spirit of a great, humble people."[4]

In 1921-1922, she toured the United States, including autumn festivals in Maine.[8] She sang at free summer concerts in Central Park in 1924.[9] In 1931, she gave a concert at New York's Town Hall.[10] She was heard in radio concerts regularly[11] in the late 1920s[12] and through the 1930s.[13]

She made at least three recordings for the Victor Talking Machine Company.[14]

Personal life

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Fonariova became a United States citizen in 1929.[15]

References

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  1. ^ "Boston to Celebrate Pilgrim Ter-centenary" Musical Monitor (April 1921): 316.
  2. ^ "Concert for Russian Refugees" Musical America (June 17, 1916): 35.
  3. ^ "Russian Opera in London" Daily Sketch (May 31, 1915): 4.
  4. ^ a b "Genia Fonariova Heard" New York Times(February 20, 1920): 12. via ProQuest
  5. ^ "Manhattan Opera Concert" New York Times (September 11, 1916): 7. via ProQuest
  6. ^ "Great Russian Liberty Concert" Musical Leader (October 24, 1918): 391.
  7. ^ "Fonariova in Recital" Musical America (February 28, 1920): 47.
  8. ^ "Genia Fonariova to Tour South" Musical Courier (July 7, 1921): 10.
  9. ^ "Goldman Concerts in Central Park a Free Gift to New York City" New York Times (June 10, 1924): X5. via ProQuest
  10. ^ "Genia Fonariova Sings" New York Times (December 7, 1931): 23. via ProQuest
  11. ^ "Stars of Radioland" Hamilton Evening Journal (August 22, 1931): 7. via Newspapers.comOpen access icon
  12. ^ "Noted Soprano Will Be Heard on Radio Tonight" Tampa Bay Times (December 8, 1928): 13. via Newspapers.comOpen access icon
  13. ^ "Today on the Radio" New York Times (December 3, 1932): 20. via ProQuest
  14. ^ Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Eugenie Fonariova (vocalist : soprano vocal)" (accessed June 7, 2018).
  15. ^ Untitled news item, St. Louis Post-Dispatch (October 20, 1929): 75. via Newspapers.comOpen access icon
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