Virginia Mauret (died January 16, 1983), sometimes seen as Virginie Mauret, was an American musician and dancer. In 1962 she became the founder and director of the Young Artists Opera of New York City.
Early life Although she was sometimes addressed as "Mademoiselle","Virginia Mauret Refuses to Dance to Empty Seats" Decatur Herald (November 12, 1921): 3. via Newspapers.com Mauret was not French. Mauret studied dance with Michel Fokine."Mauret Program" Des Moines Register (November 13, 1921): 52. via Newspapers.com She also learned to play violin and piano, and studied voice and music theory."Dancing and Singing Perfect Expressions of Music, is the Claim of Virginia Mauret" Musical Courier (November 9, 1922): 50.
Career
Mauret interpreted music in dance, sometimes with a musical trio accompanying her,"Famous Danseuse and Instrumental Trio to be Presented by Ogden" Des Moines Register (October 30, 1921): 61. via Newspapers.com sometimes with a symphony orchestra, as when she performed at Carnegie Hall in 1920 and 1922."Virginie Mauret, Dancer, Applauded" New York Times (December 29, 1920)."Virginie Mauret with New York Symphony" Musical Courier (September 21, 1922): 34. Mauret's vaudeville act involved singing, dancing, and playing violin, sometimes simultaneously. She also designed her own costumes. One of Mauret's performances involved dancing to compositions by Bach."Mauret Announces Novelty" Musical Leader (March 9, 1922): 227.
Mauret choreographed dances for a Broadway and touring revival of Babes in Toyland in 1930. Babes in Toyland, Internet Broadway Database, accessed November 30, 2017; "Delightful" Brooklyn Daily Eagle (February 18, 1930): 21. via Newspapers.com In 1933 she was singing for radio programs,WEAF 660, program guide, Evening Times (May 15, 1933): 4. via Newspapers.com and was involved with the Montreal Opera."Atlantic City Opera" Brooklyn Daily Eagle (July 19, 1936): 36. via Newspapers.com
From the beginning of her career, Mauret gave performances at public schools and for children."Dancer Brings Her Own Music" Decatur Herald (November 6, 1921): 18. via Newspapers.com"Final Young People's Concert" New York Times (March 2, 1924): 8. In 1962, following her long interest in arts education, Mauret founded the Young Artists Opera program in New York City."Virginia Mauret" New York Times (January 29, 1983). In 1975 she helped to translate Lortzing's Die Opernprobe into English for possible use by the Young Artists Opera."English Translations, Musical Versions" Central Opera Service Bulletin (Spring 1975): 14.
Personal life Virginia Mauret died in 1983 in New York City.
References