Dora de Phillippe (born October 16, 1887 – died after February 1931), born Dora Auspitz, was a French soprano opera singer, based in North America, also known for her work in war relief during World War I.

Dora de Phillippe
Dora de Phillippe, from a 1916 publication
Born	Dora Auspitz 1887 Paris
Nationality	French
Other names	Dora de Fillippe, Dora Auspitz de Fillippe, Dora Phinney
Occupation	singer
Years active	1902-1931
Known for	Madame Butterfly

Early life

Dora Auspitz was born in Paris, the daughter of Jules Auspitz and Augustine Bruckner Auspitz.[1] She trained as a singer in Berlin and Vienna. Her publicity said she was of "French-Austrian heritage" and that her father was a banker and a writer.[2]

Career

Dora de Phillippe first performed in the United States in 1902,[3] and was already "an accomplished lieder singer", playing soubrette parts in San Francisco, by 1904.[4][5] She sang with the National Opera of Canada, the Chicago Grand Opera Company, and the Aborn Opera Company, among others.[6][7][8] She was one of the first to perform Madama Butterfly in English for American audiences,[9] and was credited with singing the part of Cio-Cio-San more than any other singer at the time.[10] She also sang the part in Italian.[11]

De Phillippe's other roles included Nedda in Pagliacci and Micaela in Carmen.[12] In 1916, she began as a Chautauqua presenter,[10] hoping to bring opera to untraditional audiences outside major cities.[13][14]

During World War I, de Phillippe was active in warwork, publicizing American Red Cross efforts to provide warm clothing for soldiers, and giving benefit concerts for the Red Cross[15] and for Liberty Bonds.[16] Her rendition of La Marseillaise was especially sought, because "the hymn is rarely given with greater fervor than when she sings it."[17]

After the war and in widowhood, de Phillippe continued on stage[18] and on the Chautauqua circuit.[19] She headed her own touring company in 1926.[20] She also continued giving concerts for charities, including for the Blind Relief Fund of Philadelphia in 1927.[21] In 1931, she sang a recital in New York City.[22]

Personal life

Dora de Phillippe married American theatrical manager Arthur S. Phinney in 1909.[23] Phinney died in 1920.[24][25]

References

External links

• A photograph of Dora de Phillippe in the American National Red Cross photograph collection of the Library of Congress.