MARY GARDEN - AUTOGRAPH SENTIMENT SIGNED 1951 CO-SIGNED BY: REVEREND ALBERT A. DURANT, CARLETON SMITH - HFSID 19707

MARY GARDEN, REVEREND ALBERT A. DURANT, CARLETON SMITH
Sheet of signatures written to entertainer Hildegarde, with Garden thanking her for a delightful evening and Father Durant dating his signature 1951. Also signed by National Arts Foundation director Carleton Smith
Autograph sentiment signed: "After a delightful evening/Mary Garden/1951", "Father Albert A. Durant, O.S.A. Oct 13, 1951", and 7 unknown signatures. 9½x6¾. Scottish-born singer MARY GARDEN (1874-1967) performed most frequently in Chicago and Paris, earning the moniker "The Sarah Barnhart of opera." She was known for her brains and acting talent as well as for her voice and the diversity of her roles. Her performance of Richard Strauss' Salome, beginning in 1907, scandalized some audiences, requiring occasional cancellation of scheduled performances. ALBERT A. DURANT (1911-1978) was ordained a priest in 1936, and was first assigned to St. Rita High School in Chicago, but served in several churches and locations across the U.S during his life. He held an interesting position while teaching at the Catholic Poetry Society of America, working to teach drama as a form of spiritual enlightenment in addition to it's entertainment values. Because of this, he was widely sought after as a personal advisor for several actors and artists, and had a special expertise in the works of Shakespeare. CARLETON SMITH (1908-1984) was the director of the National Arts Foundation and was the first to try and established the International Awards Foundation to create award categories for fields previously not recognized in the arts. He helped create the Pritzker Architecture Prize and the J. Paul Getty Award for Conservation Leadership. In addition to his awards efforts, Smith taught music appreciation for several years, and was the music editor for Esquire. Toned. Paper remnants on left margin on verso. Fine condition.