Edvina, Louise (1878–1948)
Edvina, Louise (1878–1948)
Canadian soprano. Born Lucienne Juliette Martin on May 28, 1878, in Montreal, Canada; died in London, England, on November 13, 1948; studied with Jean de Reszke; married James Matthews Buxton, in 1898 (died); married the Honorable Cecil Edwardes, in 1901 (died); married Major Nicholas Rothesay Stuart Wortley, in 1919 (died).
Debuted at Covent Garden (1908) and Metropolitan Opera (1915); made six recordings for HMV (1921); retired in Cannes (1926).
Louise Edvina grew up in Vancouver before going to Paris to study voice with Jean de Reszke. She made her debut as Marguerite in Faust at Covent Garden in 1908, then performed in Paris, Brussels, Stockholm, Monte Carlo, Chicago, Boston, and Montreal. When World War I interrupted her operatic career, she gave a number of benefit concerts. "Her limpid and even voice with its pure sensuous quality held great charm," wrote one critic. If Edvina was faulted, it was for her lack of temperament in such fiery masterworks as Tosca, I Gioielli della Madonna, and Francesca da Rimini. She preferred roles like Marguerite which were more suited to her talents. All three of Edvina's marriages ended in widowhood. In 1921, she made six recordings for HMV, including her admired portrayals of Louise and Tosca, which were reissued. Edvina retired in 1926 in Cannes where she operated an antique shop until World War II.
John Haag , Athens, Georgia