The One,The Only, Florence Foster Jenkins 12 Inch 78RPM
$
29
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Description
THE "GREAT" FLORENCE FOSTER JENKINS ON 12 INCH DISC
When I first started collecting records maybe forty years ago, I decided that I wanted as diverse a collection as possible. Well, this "odd ball" record proves it and I love it.
Florence Foster Jenkins (July 19, 1868 – November 26, 1944) was an American soprano who became famous for her complete lack of rhythm, pitch, tone, and overall singing ability
From her recordings, it is apparent that Jenkins had little sense of pitch and rhythm and was barely capable of sustaining a note. Her accompanist can be heard making adjustments to compensate for her tempo variations and rhythmic mistakes
Despite her patent lack of ability, Jenkins was firmly convinced of her greatness. She compared herself favorably to the renowned sopranos Frieda Hempel and Luisa Tetrazzini, and dismissed the laughter.
At the age of 76, Jenkins finally yielded to public demand and performed at Carnegie Hall on October 25, 1944. So anticipated was the performance that tickets for the event sold out weeks in advance. Jenkins died a month later at her residence, the Hotel Seymour in Manhattan. She had lived with her manager St. Clair Bayfield, an American stage actor, for 36 years.
A play about Jenkins's life, Souvenir, by Stephen Temperley, opened on Broadway in November 2005, and starred Judy Kaye as Jenkins. Kaye commented that "It's hard work to sing badly well." Jenkins became tremendously popular in her unconventional way.
She said "People may say I can't sing, but no one can ever say I didn't sing."
She was the world's most delusional and the world's most inept opera singer.
Now, could you ask for more fun than that. Of her five 78RPM recordings this 12 inch record is more rare than the 10 inch discs.
There is some background noise which actually sounds better than her singing.
She really is a favorite of many collectors.
The label is "Melo-Tone" and the selections are "Bell Song (Lakme)" and "Musical Snuffbox."
To make everything bizarre, her piano accompanist is named "Cosme McMoon.
I'm making fun, but I really like this record.
Have Fun and thanks for looking.
Ernest W. Bennett
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