Donalda, Pauline (1882–1970)

Canadian soprano and tireless promoter of Canadian opera. Born Pauline Lightstone in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, on March 5, 1882; died in Montreal on October 22, 1970; studied with Edmont Duvernoy and Paul Lhérie, and with Clara Lichtenstein at the Royal Victoria College; studied in Paris on a grant from Donald Smith and adopted the name "Donalda" in his honor; married Paul Seveilhac (a French baritone), in 1906; married Mischa Léon (a Danish tenor), in 1918.

Debuted in Nice (1904) and at Covent Garden (1905); debuted in Canada and the U.S. (1906); opened a teaching studio in Paris (1922); taught hundreds of students before returning to Montreal to teach (1937); founded the Opera Guild over which she presided (1942–69); made an Officer of the Order of Canada (1967).

Pauline Donalda's parents were Jews from Poland and Russia who immigrated to Montreal, changing the family name from Lichtenstein to Lightstone. The quality of Pauline's voice attracted attention, and she was awarded a music scholarship at the Royal Victoria College. When Sir Donald Smith, Lord Strathcona, gave Pauline a grant to study in Europe, she adopted the name "Donalda" in his honor. After her London debut in 1905, she sang frequently, often when Nellie Melba required a replacement (in this way, Donalda sang Mimi with Caruso). She married the French baritone, Paul Seveilhac, a cast member in the 1905 production of Faust in which Donalda sang Marguerite. She toured Russia, North America, and Europe. In February 1914, she had a huge success in Carmen in Nice.

During World War I, Donalda stayed in Canada where she organized the Donalda Sunday Afternoon Concerts. When the war ended, she returned to Paris where she married the Danish tenor Mischa Léon in 1918, after a divorce from her first husband. Subsequent to retiring from the stage, she opened a teaching studio in 1922 and taught hundreds of pupils. Donalda continued her teaching career in Montreal in 1937 and founded the Opera Guild (1942) over which she presided until 1969; the guild presented 29 operas during this time. Although her performing career was relatively short, Donalda had a great impact in the musical world as a teacher and promoter of opera. She was made an Officer of the Order of Canada in 1967 for her contributions to music.

John Haag , Athens, Georgia