Item 17281 - Lace fan belonging to opera singer Lillian Nordica, 1894

Item 17281 - Lace fan belonging to opera singer Lillian Nordica, 1894
Contributed by Nordica Memorial Association
Item 17281
Lace fan belonging to opera singer Lillian Nordica, 1894
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Lace fan that was given to Lillian Nordica in 1894 from Cosima Wagner at Bayreuth, Germany. Otto Floersheim wrote of the new Elsa: (of Wagner's opera Lohengrin) "No German Elsa I ever saw could..... be compared to Nordica as far as the dramatic conception....of this most essentially German character is concerned. The pronunciation of a language not her own was absolutely flawless and each syllable was clearly comprehensible. The beauty and sweetness of her vocal organ stood her in good stead; her intonation was always as pure and flawless as that of a fine flute, her technique is superb and her musical phrasing delightful and artistic to a degree." (1894, Bayreuth)
 
The Wagner family was delighted. Cosima next morning sent Lillian a lace fan with the name Elsa worked into the fabric " as a small token for a grand performance."

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