Bianca Volpini - takes the stage
I am always struck by how tired Albert looks in his 1904 passport photo. But after working for the big newspapers of the day, traveling frequently to Britain, and France, he got no rest in retirement. Just after 318 Met Ave was finished, Blanche, with the support of her father, began her opera singing career in Europe. It involved a lot of traveling - on steamships no less.
From newspapers and the details in the house that they built, the Fox family was clearly a lover of music. Both Frances and Blanche are noted as early as 1896 being musical - playing the violin or singing (respectively) for Notre Dame Academy's commencement in Roxbury.
Blanche clearly had talent, but also lived at the right time for this to be appreciated. The quality of her singing voice was noticed at Notre Dame academy, where she was a contralto in the hymns and school songs. She graduated from the academy in June 1901. Around the turn of the 1900s, there was great interest in Europe for young American opera singers. With her excellent singing voice, a father ready to support her both physically and financially, Blanche became an opera star with a career that launched internationally on the stage of the Teatro Civic in Vercelli on Feb 17th 1906. She credits Albert in a 1924 article, you can see below.
But it was in April 1902 that she gave her first public recital. At this time she was studying at the Emma Howe Vocal School, which was part of the Huntington Chambers Opera School on Huntington Avenue in Boston. Miss Howe had employed Signor Roberti from the Bellini Theatre in Naples, to coach her pupils in Italian language, dramatic action and singing. Before Miss Howe, Blanche also studied for 2 years with Miss E I True, and also spent 1 year at the New England Conservatory of Music.
1924
June 1896, Globe
June 1901, Globe
April 13th, 24th 1902 Boston Globe
During her first performance she sang, "Sebben Crudele" by Antonio Caldara, "Ritornerai Fra Poco" by Johan Adloph Hasse, "Pleures Mes Yeux" from Le Cid by Massenet, "Sweetheart, sigh no more", "Break Break" by Amy Beach, "I Drink the Fragrance of the Rose" and "April's Lament" both by Henry Clough-Leighter, and "Benedictus Christmas oratorio" by Saint-Saens.
Her performance was received well, as a "mezzo soprano voice of remarkable range and purity"and a "mezzo-soprano voice which is almost contralto" and "she sings with much expression and intelligence". The audience reacted with frequent encores, to her "well nigh faultless" performance.
April 25th 1902,
Boston Post
April 25th 1902,
Boston Globe
Alfred Giraudet
April 1902, Globe
In the time between 1902 and early 1904, Blanche continued to study her Italian and dramatics at the New England Conservatory, and in 1903, at the Whitney International School of Music in Boston, where she worked with Mssr Alfred Giraudet of the Paris Conservatory of Music.
In 1904, Blanche was ready to make the leap into Europe. It seems that it is she who made the decision that she needs a 'finishing' in Europe from the continental instructors and institutions. Albert was to accompany her on the trip. She gave her final Boston recital on the 27th June at 246 Huntington Ave in Boston - likely at the Chickering Hall, a well known performance hall of that time. It was tremendously well received, as you can see from the newspapers below.
Before they left for Europe, Albert had some community work to do - the inhabitants of Clarendon Hills were still working on extending Metropolitan Avenue across the railway to Hyde Park Avenue, and next to the Clarendon Hills Station. In February, a hearing was held before the Railway Committee, where Albert demonstrated his City connections, "Mr Fox stated that he had spoken to Mayor Collins about the matter, and his honor said he was not against it". Albert had a direct line to the Mayor. [Of note Boston Mayors had more connections to 318 Met Ave, via Edmund MacDonald who became the Mayor's Tax Collector in 1902, and Francis Carroll a later occupant]. By July, a group of residents, including Albert & Isabella advocated for a subway to be built at the crossing.
Blanche's Farewell Concert:
"La Serenata", Tosti.
"La Visione", "Nessun Lo Sa", Vannuccini.
"Ah, Mon Fils", Meyerbeer
Two Scottish ballads.
"Little Thief", Leo Stern.
"One Spring Morning", Ethelbert Nevin.
"Thou are so like a flower", "Sweetheart" Chadwick.
One Scottish ballad.
"La Morte de Jeanne d'Arc", Bemberg.
In July 1904, Albert applied for his passport application, to be accompanied by Blanche in his travels. He has no occupation, and gives his address as Mansfield, MA. The application is witnessed by David E Haneling (?) of Mansfield, and the delivery address is to P.A. Fox, Mansfield, Mass, care of Ellen J Fox. Since his whole family is in Met Ave, it's strange to send the passport Mansfield. In August 1904, we see Blanche and Albert arrive in Liverpool, as their stepping stone into continental Europe.
For over a year, Blanche was receiving her instruction in Paris, Milan, Berlin, before, on Feb 17 1906, Blanche made her European debut at the Teatro Civico, Vercelli, Italy. Her performance in Vercelli was warmly received - read the review from the Globe from 11 Mar 1906. From the globe on 16 Aug (read it below), we also find a wonderful direct and lengthy quote from Albert, who worries about 'his little girl', and keeps his opera glasses on the crowd, rather than Blanche, to assess their reaction. He need not have worried - the crowd loved her.
Mar 16 1906, Globe
At some point in her first European sojourn, Blanche decided she needed a Italian-ised name, and chose Bianca Volpini (White Fox), and it was with this that she travelled the world for the next 10 years.
Her 1906 success was also noted in West Coast newspapers, such as the Santa Cruz Surf and Oakland Tribune. The paper in Santa Cruz makes a point that she is 'well known in this city', and the Tribune points out she is niece of John E Fox, who works for Oakland piano maker, Girard Pianos.
Blanche and Albert returned to Boston from Como, Italy, in April 1906 for the summer, with Blanche touring the US before aiming to return to Europe in the autumn.
In June 1906, her friends and relatives gathered at Cary Hall on Burley St, to welcome her home, with music, songs and dancing
Mar 1906, Oakland Tribune
Mar 1906, Santa Cruz Surf
June 16 1906, Globe
1907 April
Aug 16 1906, Globe
1907 April
On 30th August 1906, Blanche and Albert were off to Europe again, landing in Liverpool, using the UK as their springboard into the continent.
In 1907, Blanche started to work hard, beginning in January at Bergamo, Italy, where she starred as principal in "La Giaconda", which produced an offer to tour cities in Germany, France, Bavaria, Russia and Egypt (which she accepted), as well as a performance of Amneris in "Aida" at Teatro Politeama, Pisa (destroyed in WWII) You can see an enthusiastic letter/review of this performance above. A the end of the touring season, Blanche accepted a 6 month contract for the carnival season of Dec-March 1907/1908 to tour Italian cities, singing "Aida" and "La Trovatore". She also had a role made for her, in La Battiste/ The Baptist, a freshly written opera by Don Fino.
Blanche already had a wise-head on her shoulders, and in an interview with the Sunday Muncie (Indiana) discussed, why American girls try to break into opera in Europe and not the US. Firstly, the love of music in France is greater than that of the US, where Paris has 2 Opera Houses, yet even more so in Italy, where "there is hardly a town of 3000 inhabitants in all Italy that does not have its own Opera House, and there are more professional singers compared to the local population in Italy than any country on earth." Secondly, the less expensive studying costs made it attractive to the young women to try their hand in Europe. Thirdly US audiences do not have the patience to judge for themselves but are 'quick enough to buy the readymade article" (Pittsburgh Daily Post, Jan 1908).
But only a handful make it - many European audiences are highly intolerant of a poor accent or enunciation of the lyrics - Blanche was lucky that her Italian was so good, that "her American parentage has frequently been questioned by her critics." She was above criticism. (Boston Globe 25 Aug 1909).
My favorite photo, Buffalo Morning Express, 1907
1907 Indiana
1908, interesting article on Blanche & Count San Martino
In 1908 and 1909, Blanche matured in both performance and business savvy. At the beginning of 1908, she travelled to Rome and the musical academy Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia, where she received a diploma. A diploma from St Cecilia was recognized globally as a gurantee of musical excellence. This also allowed her to be observed by Count San Martino, who led the Academy. He was also the European representative of the New York Metropolitan Opera, as well as close friends with the manager of the Covent Garden Opera House in London. His support would therefore be key to more European performances and breaking into the US.
On April 16th 1908, Blanche and Albert board a steamship in Liverpool, UK and head home to Boston, no doubt flush with their success. From a snippet in the New York Herald (European edition, the forerunner of the International Herald Tribune), we can see that Blanche is already a sought after commodity.
We couldn't believe when we found a record of Blanche singing opera in Italy. Here are the only two recordings we have - not the greatest recordings, but to hear these play in her original home, in her original music room, is a wonderful feeling. We aren't able to date these recordings.
1908. NY Herald
1908. March NY Herald
Boston Globe, Feb 19 1908
Boston Globe, Aug 25 1909
In the autumn of 1909, Blanche played a leading role in Oscar Hammerstein's new Italian Grand Opera Company, based in the Academy of Music in New York. She reprised her role of Amneris in Aida, as well as adding Rigoletto to her repertoire.
She then toured throughout Canada and the Mid-West with Hammerstein's company from the end of 1909 through to March 1910. Despite being struck with various colds, she got great reviews. In April, she then took a 3 month European 'vacation' with Albert, where she was contracted by Thomas Beecham in London, to perform in Covent Garden in the autumn and Drury Lane in the Spring of 1911. Thomas Beecham was driven to introduce the public to opera, and organized 190 operas in 1910 alone (Wikipedia). His activities, were a challenge to the established Royal Opera House, as well as Oscar Hammerstein, who was also attempting to take over the London Opera scene.
1910 January
Blanche as Mignon, 1908. Giacomelli
In Sept 1909, the Boston Globe wrote about her Sept 4th debut at the Metropolitan Opera Co. in NYC, and were happy to pronounce that she had "shown her undeniable talents as singer and actress", playing Amneris in Aida. Her "personal appearance was radiantly attractive and in through harmony with the role".
Sept 1909, US Debut
1910 Opera Wars
1910 was a big year for Blanche, as she toured the US over 20 weeks, and returned to Europe for a 3 month break, and then to perform in Covent Garden, the main focus for theatres and opera in the UK. Here are some review of her performances.
1910 April
1910 July
Nov 1910, Blanche returns home
Her talents secured her another contract for the autumn season of 1910/1911 in Covent Garden - by Mr Beecham, who is trying to unseat the Royal Opera House.
Unfortunately in November, her very successful stint in Covent Garden was cut short by ptomaine poisoning - or food poisoning, and she returned home with her father to recover.
Returning to Italy, early 1911, she was chosen to create a lead role - Herodias - for a new opera "The Baptist" written by Don Fino. We can't find any mentions of this opera, or 'the musical priest' Don Fino, anywhere.
1915 Globe Famous Women
Nov 1910, ship manifests
In 1911, Blanche still needed time to recover, and in May, we find her and Albert on the West coast, with advice for singers, the wisdom of which are ahead of her years. 'Young students will fall into the hands of harpies".
By the end of 1911, Blanche was performing again in California and for the first time in Honolulu - a place she would revist in later years - as well as Mexico, where she was rehired for the autumn 1912 season. She used these performances to warm up for another planned trip to Europe, in 1912.
Also remember, that Albert's brother, John E Fox, was a successful piano shop/brand manager, and was well established in the Bay Area music scene - a useful connection for both John and Blanche, and one which would last until Isabella's death in California.
1912 Report
1911 US Performances
1912 Santa Cruz
1913 San Fran
At the beginning of 1912, Blanche is, with Albert & Isabella, recovering from the 1911 winter's performances, in Santa Cruz, CA, before heading back to Boston.
For the rest of 1912, little can be found of Blanche or Albert (or any other Fox), and the next appearance is a note in the Boston Globe, stating that she is 'safe'!. She had been contracted to sing in the Mexican Opera over the Fall of 1912/1913, only to be caught up in the Mexican Civil War, and in particular the 'Ten Tragic Days', where fighting occurred right in the middle of Mexico City, and outside the Opera House. She and the company rushed out of Mexico, and only just made it out alive 'for a bar of iron was put across the track in front of the train'.
In Feb 1913, she was safe, and performing in San Francisco, other CA venues, and again in Honolulu.
1912 Feb
1913 November
1912 April
1913 Honolulu
1914 was the beginning of the Great War in Europe, and this closed all the Opera Houses, and ultimately by the end of it, also destroyed a good many. There was nothing Blanche could do, but 'wait quietly at home until conditions change', as the 1915 Globe article puts it. And so, he focus became the US, for whatever singing she could find. Ultimately, the war was a sad and sudden end to Blanche's famous operatic career.
She finally sang in her home town of Boston, and could take part in more local happenings - such as fundraisers at the local Cary Hall. Albert was not given the same break, as he was roped back in to work, as he renewed his passport in June 1914, before traveling to France for the newspapers in July of 1915. Alone. This trip was business not pleasure. Although he resided in Roslindale, his passport was to be sent to a John P Clark, Springfield Road, El Mora, Elizabeth, New Jersey. John was born in MA, and according to the 1910 census, works at the New York Herald. Friends and co-workers, no doubt.
1914 passport app
1915 Ship manifest
1910 Census, JPClark
Springfield Rd
1914 was the beginning of the Great War in Europe, and this closed all the Opera Houses, and ultimately by the end of it, also destroyed a good many. There was nothing Blanche could do, but 'wait quietly at home until conditions change', as the 1915 Globe article puts it. And so, he focus became the US, for whatever singing she could find. Ultimately, the war was a sad and sudden end to Blanche's famous operatic career.
She finally sang in her home town of Boston, and could take part in more local happenings - such as fundraisers at the local Cary Hall. Albert was not given the same break, as he was roped back in to work, as he renewed his passport in June 1914, before traveling to France for the newspapers in July of 1915. Alone. This trip was business not pleasure. Although he resided in Roslindale, his passport was to be sent to a John P Clark, Springfieal Road, El Mora, Elizabeth, New Jersey. John was born in MA, and according to the 1910 census, works at the New York Herald. Friends and co-workers, no doubt.
1917
The war continued, and even US work dried up for Blanche, and the focus of the Fox's was of Clarendon Hills, as they fought to get a bridge over the railway to Hyde Park, and also to save Cary Hall - the local Clarendon Hills performance space. More can be seen of this on the previous pages.
The time for the Fox's in Boston was coming to an end - Blanche moved to San Francisco in 1919, taking her beloved little sister, Geneva May, with her. Perhaps to be in a City which knew her singing (unlike provincial Boston), and also close to the support of Albert's brother, John. In the 1920 census, we find Blanche & Geneva living together, at 1059 Levenworth St, San Francisco, where Blanche is in the music business with her 'own studio' and Geneva is a saleslady at an unreadable location.
Blanche was a vocal tutor at this point, but a new job offer would take her off to Honolulu.
1959 Levenworth St
1920 census
In 1920, the Boston Globe confirmed that Blanche had taken a job as the head of vocal training in the Music Department of Punahon Conservatory of Music.
1920 reports on Blanche
These reports on Blanche's move in 1920 to Honolulu give use some more colour of her life. She is described as 'unassuming' and 'folksy', who 'meets interviewers with a spontaneity very different from the mapped-out speeches and actions of some other artists'.
She also described herself 'a country girl', so Roslindale was still a country suburb to the city back then...
It appears she was also a bit short - Alessandro Bonci, with whom she sang in Favorite requested her to sing Leonora partly because of her great voice, but also because the made a fitting height combination on stage!
Blanche performed immediately as she (and Geneva) moved to Honolulu, and throughout her tenure - although it was only for a single year as can be seen in the 1920-1921 yearbook (courtesy of Punahou School Archives). In 1921, we see Blanche & Geneva move back to San Francisco.
1920 yearbook
The 1920 census showed that Blanche and Geneva were renting an apartment in San Francisco.