Nordica, Lillian

Nordica, Lillian nôrˈdĭkə [key], 1857–1914, American soprano, b. Farmington, Maine, as Lillian Norton. She studied in Milan, where she made her operatic debut in 1879. She sang in St. Petersburg, Paris, and London and in 1883 made her debut at the Academy of Music, New York City, and in 1890 at the Metropolitan Opera. Although most famous for Wagnerian roles, added to her repertory in 1894 when she sang at Bayreuth, she was equally capable in such florid roles as that of Marguerite in Faust.

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