Edith Mason Explained

Edith Mason (March 22, 1892 – November 26, 1973) was an American soprano.

She was born Edith Barnes^[1] on March 22, 1892, in St. Louis, Missouri and studied in Boston, Philadelphia, and Paris. She made her singing début on January 27, 1912, as Nedda in Pagliacci with the Boston Opera Company. During the next three years, she sang in Europe at Nice, Marseilles, and Paris. In 1914 she was singing at the Opera Comique in Paris when the war terminated her engagement. Returning to America, she made her debut at the Metropolitan as Sophie in Der Rosenkavalier on November 20, 1915. From 1917 to 1919, she was a member of the Metropolitan Opera Company.

In 1919, she married Giorgio Polacco. In 1921 she became one of the leading singers of the Chicago Opera Association. She divorced Polacco on July 21, 1929,^[2] and was married to Dr. Maurice Bernstein, guardian of the young Orson Welles.

She remarried Polacco on May 15, 1931.^[3] They divorced in 1937.^[4] She later married William E. Ragland.

She died of a stroke in San Diego, California, on November 26, 1973, at age 80.^[5]

Notes and References

1. Book: Pseudonyms. Joseph F. Clarke. BCA. 1977. 112.
2. News: Edith Mason Gets Divorce In Chicago. Prima Donna of Civic Opera Wins Decree From Giorgio Polacco, Director . Edith Mason prima donna of the Chicago Civic Opera Company, today received a dirorce from Giorgio Polacco, director of the company. ... . . July 21, 1929 . 2013-12-16 .
3. News: Edith Mason Remarried. Singer Rewed to Giorgio Polacco, Third Husband, in Milan . The remarriage of Edith Mason, formerly a prima donna with the Chicago Civis Opera Company, to her third husband, Giorgio Polacco ... . The New York Times . May 10, 1931 . 2013-12-16 .
4. News: Edith Mason Gets Decree. Singer Obtains a Second Divorce From Polacco on Cruelty Charge . Edith Mason Polacco, opera singer, received a divorce here today from Giorgio Polacco, opera conductor, whom the singer divorced once before. They were married the second time in May 15, 1931, at Zurich, Switzerland. In the interval between these marriages Miss Mason became the wife of Maurice A. Bernstein of Chicago and divorced him. ... . The New York Times . April 22, 1937. 2013-12-16 .
5. News: Edith Mason Dies. Leading Soprano. Favorite At Chicago Opera Also Sang With Met . Edith Mason, a lyric soprano who sang at the Metropolitan Opera and reigned as a favorite for many seasons at the Chicago Opera, died of a stroke yesterday in San Diego. She was 80 years old and the wife of William E. Ragland. . The New York Times . November 27, 1973 . 2013-11-09.