Pauline Donnan: Difference between revisions

Pauline Keller Donnan was from [[Joplin, Missouri]], the daughter of Andrew Fuller Donnan Jr. and Pauline Scott Keller Donnan. Her father was a city engineer, city councilman,<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=A9Q-AAAAYAAJ&dq=Donnan+Joplin+MO&pg=PA11 ''Revised and Republished Ordinances of the City of Joplin, Missouri''] (Pratt Printing House 1904): 11, 13.</ref> and mining company executive.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=YBkAAAAAMAAJ&dq=Donnan+Joplin+MO&pg=RA1-PA40 ''Annual Report of the State Mine Inspector''] (1900): 40.</ref> She attended [[Lindenwood College]] and [[Wilson College (Pennsylvania)|Wilson College]], and with encouragement from [[Ernestine Schumann-Heink]], pursued further training as a singer in Paris, with [[Jean de Reszke]] and [[Alice Verlet]].<ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/clip/21000789/pauline_keller_donnan_1910/ "Pauline Donnan, American Girl, Is To Sing In Opera"] ''St. Louis Post-Dispatch'' (July 24, 1910): 9. via [[Newspapers.com]]{{open access}}</ref>

Pauline Keller Donnan sang at the [[La Monnaie]] in Brussels.<ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/clip/21000719/pauline_donnan_1910/ "Pauline Donnan in Song Recital at Chambersburg October 20"] ''The Sentinel'' (October 17, 1910): 4. via [[Newspapers.com]]{{open access}}</ref> She was a leading singer in the [[Carl Rosa Opera Company]], touring in Great Britain before and during [[World War I]], in parts such as "Micaela" in ''[[Carmen]]'', "Marguerite" in ''[[Faust (opera)|Faust]]'', and "Queen of the Night" in ''[[The Magic Flute]]''.<ref>[http://special.lib.gla.ac.uk/sta/search/detaile.cfm?EID=23112 Scottish Theatre Archive], University of Glasgow Special Collections.</ref><ref>[http://www.operascotland.org/person/4795/Pauline-Donnan Pauline Donnan], OperaScotland.org.</ref> She also sang with the O'Mara Opera Company.<ref>[http://newspapers.library.wales/view/4001198/4001206/81/Pauline%20Donnan "Visit of the O'Mara Opera Company to Merthyr"] ''Pioneer'' (January 15, 1916): 8. via [[Welsh Newspapers Online]]{{open access}}</ref> While in England, she worked at [[Blind Veterans UK|St. Dunstan's]], a rehabilitation program in London, teaching vocal techniques as occupational skills for newly blind soldiers. She directed her students in operettas, and helped some find professional work as singers or voice teachers.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=HO86AQAAMAAJ&lpg=RA15-PA43&ots=yilqzwrWFK&dq=Pauline%20Donnan+Donnan&pg=RA15-PA43#v=onepage&q=Pauline%20Donnan&f=false "American Singer Develops Talent of Blinded Soldiers"] ''Musical Courier'' (October 17, 1918): 43.</ref>

Pauline Keller Donnan's health deteriorated after her work at St. Dunstan's. Her mother retrieved her from London in 1920.<ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/clip/21007434/pauline_donnan_1921/ "Personals"] ''Joplin Globe'' (January 1, 1921): 5. via [[Newspapers.com]]{{open access}}</ref> At the time of her mother's death in 1925, she was living in [[Columbia, Missouri]], where her sister Margaret Donnan Miller also lived.<ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/clip/21007067/pauline_k_donnan/ "Mrs. Donnan's Funeral Will Be Held Monday"] ''Joplin Globe'' (March 15, 1925): 9. via [[Newspapers.com]]{{open access}}</ref> SheDonnan spent her last years in the Missouri State Hospital in [[Fulton, Missouri]], where she died in 1934, aged 4948 years.