11 Facts About Pauline Donalda

Pauline Donalda, born Pauline Lightstone, was a Canadian operatic soprano.

Pauline Donalda was musical from an early age, playing the Queen in a children's production of Cinderella at age seven and winning her first singing prize at age ten from Royal Arthur School in Montreal.

Pauline Donalda studied with Clara Lichtenstein at Royal Victoria College, part of McGill University.

Pauline Donalda adopted the stage name Donalda in honour of her patron.

Pauline Donalda was the first to sing the roles of Concepcion in Maurice Ravel's L'heure espagnole and Ah-joe in Franco Leoni's L'oracolo at Covent Garden.

Pauline Donalda returned to Europe in 1907, singing principally in London and Paris.

Pauline Donalda chose to remain in the country, singing in concerts and music halls, with occasional appearances in New York and Boston.

Pauline Donalda returned to Paris in 1917, and married her second husband, Mischa Leon, there the following year.

In 1922, Pauline Donalda retired from performance and opened a teaching studio in Paris where she taught many students over the next few years.

Pauline Donalda moved back to Montreal in 1937 and opened a studio there.

Pauline Donalda founded the Opera Guild of Montreal in 1942, serving as president and artistic director until 1969.