Viardot-Garcia, Pauline

Viardot-Garcia, Pauline (pōlēn` vyärdō`-gärsēä`), 1821–1910, French mezzo-soprano; sister of Maria Malibran; pupil of her father, Manuel García. Following her concert debut in Brussels in 1837 and her opera debut in London in 1839, she became celebrated for her wide range, fine technique, and histrionic ability. She created the role of Fidès in Meyerbeer's Prophète (1849), developed a teaching method, and composed songs and an opera, Le dernier Sorcier (1869). She retired from the stage in 1863 and taught (1871–75) at the Paris Conservatory.