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I have been in love with the legend of
Florence Foster Jenkins since the late 60s when I discovered this re-issue of her recordings of the 40's on RCA Victor.
I remember the day I found it in the basement of the Sea of Records at 116 Ninth Street just off Mission in
San Francisco. I spent many hours digging around there uncovering the most amazing
records. Woody Badger was the store manager; why I remember
his name is a mystery.
The Glory (????) of the Human Voice
I had never heard of Jenkins before but I read the
liner notes, was intrigued, so I bought the album (
I did that a lot with records).
When
I got home and listened to the recording, I was fascinated from the moment I heard
her voice; and I have been even to this day (
links to
her singing on YouTube below). She's described as having great
difficulty with such basic vocal skills as
pitch,
rhythm, and sustaining notes and phrases. But despite her lack of vocal perfection, the
story of her determination and chutzpah combined with a tin ear, to say nothing of
her money, totally amazed me. She managed to perform at
Carnegie Hall. How many people can hold that claim? I am in awe of her.
October 25, 1944
1868-1944
photographer unknown
When I heard that
Meryl Streep
was going to portray Jenkins, I was delirious with joy. I could hardly
wait; I thought to myself, no one else could better capture the flavor
of the singer. Well I caught the film today and I was
not in any way disappointed.
And it was shown in an
Art Deco theater right out of the same era Madam Jenkins lived in. The
Alameda Theater was built in 1932 in
Alameda, California.
The film is exquisite! The casting was sensational, and Streep was nothing but
momentous as Jenkins! They did an
extraordinary job of
portraying the era; Jenkins inspiring
Stephen Foster in her
tableaux (
more on that below) was brilliantly recreated. They did manage to make them a bit more grandiose in the film. However, who cares?
There were many surprises about the film: one of the production companies involved in the film,
Pathé, was the subject of my last blog (
link below). Another was the credits at the end list Streep as doing her own singing! WOW!
Cosmé McMoon
1901 - 1980
photographer unknown
There
is a great website, History Hollywood, that compares the characters in
the film to the real-life people portrayed as well as facts about the
life of Jenkins (link below).
Born into a wealthy
Wilkes-Barre,
Pennsylvania, family, Nascina Florence Foster
took piano lessons up until the age of 15, when she married 30-year-old
Dr. Frank Jenkins, who most likely gave her
syphilis, a then-incurable
disease. When the pair separated after three years, she kept the
doctor’s name and returned to music, attending the
Philadelphia Academy of Music.
Jemkins moved to
New York City and with the help of her father’s inheritance
started programming musical recitals. As the "chairman of music" for many social organizations, she began producing lavish
tableaux vivants—popular diversions in social circles of that era.
Florence, standing,
performs for guests in her home
New York, 1937
Jenkins home
New York, 1937
In each of these productions, Jenkins would cast herself as the main character in the final
tableau,
wearing an elaborate costume of her own design. In a widely republished
photograph, Jenkins poses in a costume, complete with angelic wings,
from her
tableau inspired by the
Howard Chandler Christy painting,
Stephen Foster and the Angel of Inspiration. Jenkins inspiring
Stephen Foster has been brilliantly recreated in the film.
Florence Foster Jenkins
"Angel of Inspiration"
photographer & date unknown
During a performance in 1909, she met
St. Clair Bayfield, an accomplished English actor who became her
partner and later her manager.
August 2, 1875 -
May 19, 1967
photographer unknown
Two days after her performance at
Carnegie Hall, Jenkins suffered
a heart attack and one month later she died in her
Manhattan home. She was 76.
The album
The Glory (????) of the Human Voice (
RCA Victor)
was originally issued by
RCA Victor in 1962, the album includes eight selections by Jenkins and features her on the cover in one of her many
recital costumes, "Angel of Inspiration".
The Glory (????) of the Human Voice
vinyl LP
The Glory (????) of the Human Voice
vinyl LP
The Glory (????) of the Human Voice
vinyl LP back cover
The Glory (????) of the Human Voice
vinyl LP back cover detail
There
had to be something to back up the album as there were not enough sings
by Jenkins to fill an entire disc. The problem was solved one day when
Jenny Williams and Thomas Burns came to the RCA studio to record an
album for their personal use. RCA convinced them to put their recording
session on the B side of the Jenkins album as A Faust Travesty. Their recording now lives forever.
Jenny Williams and Thomas Burns
A Foust Travesty
vinyl LP back cover detail
The Glory (????) of the Human Voice
vinyl LP back cover detail
track list
The Glory (????) of the Human Voice
vinyl LP side 1
The Glory (????) of the Human Voice
vinyl LP side 1 label
Jenny Williams and Thomas Burns
A Faust Travesty
vinyl LP side 2
Jenny Williams and Thomas Burns
A Faust Travesty
vinyl LP side 2
A2 - The Musical Snuff-Box composed by
Liadoff*, words by Adele Epstein
A4 - Lakmé: Bell Song composed by
Delibes*
A5 - The Pearl Of Brazil: Charmant Oiseau composed by David*
A6 - Biassy composed by Pavlovich*, Bach* words by Pushkin*
A7 - Die Fledermaus: Adele's Laughing Song composed by Johann Strauss Jr., words by Lorraine Noël Finley
Side 2:
Jenny Williams and Thomas Burns
Faust In English composed by
Charles Gounod
B1 - Valentine's Aria (Ere I Leave My Native Land)
B2 - Jewel Song (O Heavenly Jewels)
B3 - Salut, Demure (Emotions Strange)
B4 - Final Trio (My Heart Is Overcome With Terror)
Companies, etc.
Copyright (c) – RCA
Credits:
Liner Notes – Francis Robinson
Piano –
Cosmé McMoon (tracks: A1 to A7)
Vocals –
Florence Foster Jenkins (tracks: A1 to A7)
Vocals – Jenny Williams (tracks: B1 to B4)
Vocals – Thomas Burns (tracks: B1 to B4)
Notes:
© 1962, RCA, New York, N.Y.
Made in U.S.A.
Later US pressing on the 1968-1976 style RCA Red Seal label omitting "Victor" and Nipper image.
Barcode and Other Identifiers
Matrix / Runout (stamped, Side A): M2 RP1669-1S
Matrix / Runout (stamped, Side B): M2 RP1670-1S
Matrix / Runout (label, Side A): M2RP-1669
Matrix / Runout (label, side B): M2RP-1670
