Cisneros, Eleonora de (1878–1934)
Cisneros, Eleonora de (1878–1934)
International opera star who claimed to be the first American-trained singer to perform at the Metropolitan Opera. Born Eleanor Broadfoot in Brooklyn, New York, on November 1, 1878; died in New York on February 3, 1934.
Mezzo-soprano Eleonora de Cisneros studied with Francesco Fanciulli and Adeline Murio-Celli in New York before going to Paris to study with Angelo Tabadello. She then appeared at the Metropolitan Opera during the 1899–1900 season, claiming to be the first American-trained singer to do so. Because the world of opera and classical music was biased against native performers in the United States, one way to gain entry was to train in Europe. As the 20th century progressed, however, this prejudice slowly began to wane. In 1902, Cisneros sang Brünnhilde, Ortrud, Venus, Delilah, and Amneris in Turin. For four years from 1904 to 1908, she performed regularly at Covent Garden, making her debut at La Scala in 1906. In the United States, she appeared at the Manhattan Opera and the Chicago-Philadelphia Opera Company. During the 1920s, most of Cisneros' performances were in Europe. Eleonora de Cisneros was remembered for the remarkable volume and range of her voice.
John Haag , Athens, Georgia