Dora de Phillippe (born October 16, 1887 – died after February 1931), born Dora Auspitz, was a French soprano opera singer, based in North America, also known for her work in war relief during World War I.
Early life Dora Auspitz was born in Paris, the daughter of Jules Auspitz and Augustine Bruckner Auspitz.International Who's who in Music and Musical Gazetteer (Current Literature Publishing Company 1918): 490–491. She trained as a singer in Berlin and Vienna. Her publicity said she was of "French-Austrian heritage" and that her father was a banker and a writer.Dora de Phillippe, 1916 program, in the Redpath Chautauqua Collection, University of Iowa Libraries.
Career
Dora de Phillippe first performed in the United States in 1902,Johnson Briscoe, The actors' birthday book (Moffatt, Yard and Company 1908): 235. and was already "an accomplished lieder singer", playing soubrette parts in San Francisco, by 1904."Pianist and Singer Max Heinrich Also has Creative Skill" The San Francisco Call (September 4, 1904): 19. via Newspapers.com"Gifted Young Star Cast to Sing Yvonne" The San Francisco Call (September 14, 1904): 2. via Newspapers.com She sang with the National Opera of Canada, the Chicago Grand Opera Company, and the Aborn Opera Company, among others."Dora de Phillippe in Opera" The Musical Leader (July 4, 1918): 9."Aborn Welcomed by Capacity Audiences" Musical America (May 13, 1916): 58."To Appear in Grand Operas 'Thais' and 'Mme. Butterfly'" Detroit Free Press (May 23, 1911): 3. via Newspapers.com She was one of the first to perform Madama Butterfly in English for American audiences,"Dora de Phillippe in Songs" New York Times (November 26, 1919): 11. and was credited with singing the part of Cio-Cio-San more than any other singer at the time."Madame Dora de Phillippe, Former Prima Donna of Chicago Opera Co., Will Be Heard in City" Altoona Times (June 19, 1916): 12. via Newspapers.com She also sang the part in Italian."An Admirable Butterfly" The Gazette (January 9, 1914): 3. via Newspapers.com
De Phillippe's other roles included Nedda in Pagliacci and Micaela in Carmen."Dora de Phillippe Praised as Nedda and Micaela" Musical Courier (July 11, 1918): 39. In 1916, she began as a Chautauqua presenter, hoping to bring opera to untraditional audiences outside major cities.K. S. C., "Sees Lower Middle Class As Our Future Opera Lovers" Musical America (June 10, 1916): 35."Chautauqua Patrons in Morgantown, W. Va., Acclaim Dora de Phillippe" Musical America (July 15, 1916): 29.
During World War I, de Phillippe was active in warwork, publicizing American Red Cross efforts to provide warm clothing for soldiers, and giving benefit concerts for the Red Cross"Midland Beach Red Cross Carnival" Musical Courier (July 4, 1918): 15. and for Liberty Bonds."De Phillippe to Sing for New Loan" The Musical Leader (October 3, 1918): 318. Her rendition of La Marseillaise was especially sought, because "the hymn is rarely given with greater fervor than when she sings it.""Mme. de Phillippe to Sing the 'Marseillaise'" Musical Courier (October 3, 1918): 43.
After the war and in widowhood, de Phillippe continued on stage"Lyric" The Baltimore Sun (December 29, 1921): 4. via Newspapers.com and on the Chautauqua circuit."Programs Please New Ulm People" New Ulm Review (June 21, 1922): 1. via Newspapers.com She headed her own touring company in 1926."Fine Performance by De Phillippe Co." The Free Lance (March 25, 1926): 5. She also continued giving concerts for charities, including for the Blind Relief Fund of Philadelphia in 1927."Concert for Charity" The Philadelphia Inquirer (May 27, 1927): 2. via Newspapers.com In 1931, she sang a recital in New York City."Dora de Phillippe Heard" New York Times (February 18, 1931): 14.
Personal life Dora de Phillippe married American theatrical manager Arthur S. Phinney in 1909."Gossip of the Stage" Brooklyn Daily Eagle (April 8, 1909): 22. via Newspapers.com Phinney died in 1920."Arthur S. Phinney Passes On" Musical Courier (June 10, 1920): 57."A. S. Phinney, Manager of Many Shows, is Dead" New-York Tribune (June 7, 1920): 6. via Newspapers.com
References
External links A photograph of Dora de Phillippe in the American National Red Cross photograph collection of the Library of Congress.