Victor George (active Chicago, early 20th century)
Tamaki Miura, 1915
Platinum print, 10.75 x 10.25 cm (4 1/4 x 4 1/16 in.)
Tapestry Room
Commentary
Tamaki Miura (1884-1946) was the first internationally celebrated Japanese soprano. After training in her native Japan and in Europe, Miura was cast in the title role of Puccini’s Madame Butterfly in London in 1915. Acclaimed for her performances, Miura toured the United States to reprise her role for American audiences. Gardner was a great fan of the opera and friend to many singers; the fact that she collected a photographic portrait of Miura denotes her admiration for the path-breaking soprano.