Mary Kaestner Explained

Mary Kaestner
Other Names:	Mary Kastner, Mary Peroni
Birth Name:	Mary Ethel Kaestner
Birth Date:	29 July 1882
Birth Place:	Fairfield, Iowa^[1]
Nationality:	American
Occupation:	Opera singer
Years Active:	1914–1917
Known For:	Three seasons with the San Carlo Opera Company
Spouse:	Carlo Peroni

Mary Ethel Kaestner Peroni (29 July 1882 –) was an American opera singer who was a dramatic soprano with the San Carlo Opera Company.

Early life

Mary Kaestner was born in Iowa to German emigrant Adolf August Kästner, a butcher from Crimmitschau, Kingdom of Saxony, and Laura Bell Dodge from Indiana. She had two brothers and two sisters. Her parents divorced in 1892^[2] and her father moved to Santa Ana, California in 1899.^{[3] [4]} She was sometimes incorrectly described as Viennese or German.^{[5] [6]}

Career

Kaestner was singing in Vienna when World War I began, and she returned to the United States.^[7] She toured North America with the San Carlo Opera Company for three seasons,^[8] from 1914^[9] to 1917, singing leading roles in Aïda,^[10] Cavalleria rusticana,^[11] Lohengrin, Pagliacci, Tosca, Faust, Il trovatore,^[12] and La Gioconda.^{[13] [14] [15]} "Mary Kaestner is one of those artists who has proved at each appearance that certainty and poise are her assets," commented a reviewer in 1917. "Besides her dramatic voice of unusual beauty, her acting is brilliant and brainy."^[16]

Personal life

In 1919, Mary Kaestner married Italian opera conductor Carlo Peroni,^[17] and retired from her stage career, saying "one famous person in a family is enough."^[18] She survived as his widow when Peroni died in 1944.^{[19] [20]}

Notes and References

1. Iowa, U.S., Births and Christenings Index, 1800–1999
2. Colorado, Divorce Index, 1851–1985
3. News: Kaestner Rites Are Held Today . March 27, 2024 . The Register . September 11, 1934 . 3.
4. November 25, 1916. American Prima Donna with San Carlo Opera. Musical America. 25. 45.
5. News: 1916-02-01. Mme. Mary Kaestner, Dramatic Soprano with San Carlo Company. 4. The Salina Daily Union. 2020-05-16. Newspapers.com.
6. News: 1916-01-05. Only German Artist with the San Carlo Grand Opera Company. 5. Des Moines Tribune. 2020-05-16. Newspapers.com.
7. News: 1917-01-24. Mary Kaestner to Sing Lead in 'Aida'; She is Rated as One of the World's Greatest Songbirds. 7. St. Joseph Gazette. 2020-05-16. Newspapers.com.
8. News: 1917-11-18. Mary Kaestner, San Carlo, Prima Donna, Has Scored Many Artistic Successes. 12. The Daily Ardmoreite. 2020-05-16. Newspapers.com.
9. News: 1915-12-30. Grand Opera Pleasing and Well Given. 6. The Daily Times. 2020-05-16.
10. News: 1915-12-29. German Prima Donna Has 'Aida' Role with San Carlo Company. 4. The La Crosse Tribune. 2020-05-16. Newspapers.com.
11. News: 1915-11-11. She's a Stellar Santuzza. 6. The Buffalo Times. 2020-05-16. Newspapers.com.
12. News: 1917-10-06. Mary Kaestner, Dramatic Soprano, Will Play Leonora in Il Trovatore Offered by San Carlo Opera Company Here This Year. 10. The Topeka State Journal. 2020-05-16. Newspapers.com.
13. https://books.google.com/books?id=I0c0AQAAMAAJ&dq=Mary+Kaestner+sing&pg=PA95 "Mary Kaestner Wins Laurels as San Carlo Star"
14. February 17, 1917. Mary Kaestner Wins Favor in 'Aïda' and 'Cavalleria'. Musical America. 25. 27.
15. News: 1915-12-31. Present Two Operas. 16. The Daily Times. 2020-05-16. Newspapers.com.
16. de Valdor. Joseph. September 28, 1917. Third and Last Week of the San Carlo Opera Company. Music News. 9. 22.
17. News: 1934-11-16. Opera Conductor has Warm Place in his Heart for City. 3. The Minneapolis Star. 2020-05-16. Newspapers.com.
18. News: 1929-05-26. Mrs. Carlo Peroni Prefers Brooklyn as Home Centre. 6. Times Union. 2020-05-16. Newspapers.com.
19. News: 1944-03-14. Carlo Peroni, Noted Concert Leader, Dies. 5. El Paso Times. 2020-05-16. Newspapers.com.
20. News: 1944-03-13. Carlo Peroni Dies; Opera Conductor; Music Director for San Carlo Company 20 Years Began His Career Under Mascagni. en-US. The New York Times. 2020-05-16. 0362-4331.