Maria Gay facts for kids
Maria Gay (born June 12, 1876 – died July 29, 1943) was a famous opera singer from Catalonia, Spain. She had a beautiful voice and sang in the mezzo-soprano range. Her full name was Maria de Lourdes Lucia Antonia Pichot Gironés. Sometimes, people called her Maria Gay Zenatello.
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Early Life and Amazing Voice
Maria Gay was born in 1876. A story says that when she was young, she was arrested for singing powerful songs about her country. Even in prison, she kept singing. Her voice was so amazing that she was offered a chance to learn a special singing style called bel canto. This means "beautiful singing." She learned from a talented teacher named Ada Adini.
Family Life and Partnerships
In 1897, Maria married a composer from Catalonia named Joan Gay i Planella. They had two daughters and a son. Sadly, all her children passed away when they were young.
Later, Maria Gay met another opera star, a tenor named Giovanni Zenatello. They lived and worked together for the rest of their lives. Many people thought of them as husband and wife. They were a very important team in the world of opera.
Becoming a Star: The Role of Carmen
In 1902, Maria Gay performed for the first time in an opera called Carmen in Brussels. She played the main character, Carmen, a strong and free-spirited gypsy. She was an instant success! People loved her performance.
Maria Gay became one of the most famous "Carmen" singers of her time. She surprised and amazed audiences. She showed Carmen as a bold and charming, but also a bit rough, village girl. Before singing the famous "Habanera" song, she would even eat an orange and spit out the seeds! This made her performance very real and exciting.
Performing Around the World
In 1906, Maria Gay made her debut at Milan's La Scala, a very famous opera house. She continued to perform in many important places. In 1908, she sang Carmen for the first time at the Met in New York City. She also performed the role with the Boston Opera Company in 1910.
Maria Gay also made many gramophone records with the Columbia Phonograph Company. This meant her amazing voice could be heard by even more people.
Helping New Talent
Maria Gay and Giovanni Zenatello were not just great singers. They also worked hard to find and help young singers who were just starting out. They would train them and help them become famous.
Their most well-known discovery was a singer named Lily Pons. Maria and Giovanni helped manage Lily's career for a while. They played a big part in her success.
Later Life and Legacy
In 1936, Maria Gay and Giovanni Zenatello made their home in Manhattan, New York City. Maria lived there for the rest of her life. She passed away on July 20, 1943. Maria Gay was buried in Ferncliff Cemetery in Hartsdale, New York. She is remembered as a powerful and unforgettable opera singer.
See also
In Spanish: María Gay para niños
