ROSARIO GUERRERO : SPANISH DANCER : INTERNATIONAL STAR : AFFAIR WITH BELGIAN KING

POSTCARD 1

POSTCARD 2

This lovely vintage real photo postcard (Postcard 1)features Spanish dancer and pantomimist, Rosario Guerrero (1880-1960). She was an international star who is most associated with the role of “Carmen”. She was not a singer. Instead, she performed in the ballet version of the opera. This performance occurred in 1903 at the Alhambra Theatre in London. In 1903 and 1904, she performed in New York. She had been brought to New York City by Florenz Ziegfeld. In 1905 she returned to the stage in London. It was reported that she had a breakdown from “excessive dancing” and was hospitalized in Vienna, Austria (1906). After that episode, she performed in US cities including New York, Chicago, San Francisco, and Indianapolis. She owned an estate in France. Guerrero was noted to be quite beautiful. She modelled for well known artists of the day. Her sister, Enriqueta was also a dancer, and she performed in London in the 1900’s. When compared to Spanish dancer, Otero, Guerrero is considered a purer Spanish dancer. Otero’s spanish dancing was alongside her exotic dances. Otero’s fame also came from being a courtesan. However, Guerrero is said to have had an affair with King Leopold of Belgium. One article reports that he gave her over a million dollars worth of jewels. It is interesting to note that King Leopold also had a dalliance with Otero. A brief biographical article reports that Guerrero’s dancing career appears to have ended in 1912. This postcard was published by Rotophot (RPH) as part of a series (2209/3). The company was based in Berlin, Germany. (SOLD)

Postcard 2 was published by Rotophot (RPH) as part of a series (2209/2). The company was based in Berlin, Germany. This postcard is in very good condition (see scans).

Buy this Vintage Real Photo Postcard (includes shipping within the US) #5397

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$48.00

Buy this Vintage Real Photo Postcard (includes International shipping outside the US) 5397

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$57.85

POSTCARD 1

POSTCARD 2

MINNIE HAUK: AMERICAN OPERA STAR

This cabinet card features Amalia Mignon Hauck (1851-1929). She was best known as Minnie Hauk and she was a celebrated American opera soprano. Minnie Hauk was born in New York City and as a child also lived in Rhode Island and Kansas. She studied voice with Achille Errani and had her debut in Brooklyn at age 14. Her New York City debut occurred when she was fifteen years of age. She sang Juliette in the American premiere of “Romeo et Juliette” in 1867. She performed in London in 1868 and in Paris the following year. She was the first American “Carmen” (1878). Unfortunately her fame and success did not last throughout her life. By 1918 she was in poverty and nearly blind. To see other photographs by Alfred S. Campbell and to learn more about him, click on the category “Photographer: Campbell”.

ALWINA VALLERIA: OPERA STAR

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Alwina Valleria (1848-1925) is seen in full costume in this cabinet photograph by Cooper of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  Valleria was the first American-born singer to appear in principal roles with the Metropolitan Opera. She was a soprano.  Born in Baltimore, she attended the Royal Academy of Music in London. She made her operatic debut in St Petersburg in 1871 and sang in Europe until 1879 when she first appeared in America singing Marguerite in Faust with the James Henry Mapleson company. In 1883 she first appeared at the Metropolitan Opera and she was New York City’s first Micaela in Carmen in 1878. She retired from the stage in 1886 and died in France in 1925.

Published in: on December 13, 2008 at 6:41 pm  Leave a Comment  
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