Garden, Mary (1874-1967), a Scottish-born soprano, was considered one of the best singing actresses of her time. While studying in Paris in 1900, she was the understudy for the leading role in Gustave Charpentier’s Louise. When the star became ill, Garden sang the part and scored a great triumph. In 1902, she created the role of Melisande in Claude Debussy’s opera Pelleas and Melisande.
Garden was born on Feb. 20, 1874, in Aberdeen, Scotland, and came to the United States as a child. She studied voice in Chicago. In 1910, she joined the Chicago Grand Opera Company. Garden was its leading soprano for 20 years. She retired in the early 1930’s. She died on Jan. 3, 1967.
