11 Facts About Bessie Abott

Bessie Abott was an American operatic soprano who had an active international career during the early 20th century.

Bessie Abott was particularly associated with the Paris Opera and the Metropolitan Opera, and excelled in performances of Italian and French operas of the Romantic Period.

Bessie Abott was one of twin daughters, Bessie and Jessie, born in Heuvelton, New York as Bessie Pickens to John Pickens Jr.

Bessie Abott utilized her grandmother's maiden name, Abbott, as her stage name and later dropped one "b" after she saw a misprinted theater program in Paris.

In 1897 Bessie Abott went to London where she performed in operettas in the West End.

Bessie Abott advised her to pursue an opera career, and she briefly studied singing with him.

Bessie Abott made her professional opera debut at the Palais Garnier in Paris as Juliette in Charles Gounod's Romeo et Juliette.

Bessie Abott remained committed to the Paris Opera for the next five years.

Bessie Abott made her Met debut as Mimi in Puccini's La boheme under the baton of conductor Arturo Vigna on January 20,1906.

Bessie Abott notably sang in a production of Carmen with Enrico Caruso in San Francisco's Grand Opera House the night before the 1906 San Francisco earthquake.

Bessie Abott married sculptor and poet Waldo Story in 1912 and retired from her career.