This vintage real photo postcard features pretty opera star, Madmoiselle Lilian Grenville. The caption on the postcard indicates that she was appearing at the Opera de Nice when this photo card was published. Miss Grenville is wearing a pink dress, and a pink flower in her hair. She is also wearing a fur draped over her right shoulder. Hearst International (1909) reported that there were a number of Americans in Europe trying to “make a name” for themselves in opera. One of these Americans was Lilian Grenville (1888-?). She was born in New York. Her family name was Goertner. She was educated at the convent of the Sacred Heart in Montreal. Her mother took her to Paris and Milan to study singing. She started singing with Algier and Aramis in Paris between 1903 and 1905. She made her debut in Nice, France playing “Juliet” (1906). She was then chosen by Puccini to create the title role in his “Manon Lescout”. In 1909 she sang in Nice, Naples, and Rome. Grenville made her American debut in “La Boheme” (1910) in Chicago. She was a lyric soprano with extensive range. This postcard was published by E. Le Deley (E. L. D.). The firm was active in Paris between the 1890’s and 1930. The company published, printed, and created postcards. E. L. D. was founded by photographer Ernest Louis Desire le Deley (1859-1917). Le Deley’s sons operated the business after their father’s death, and in 1930, the company went bankrupt. This postcard is part of a series (no. 4057). The card has a Swiss stamp. SOLD
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