Ernestine Schumann-Heink
my great grandmother
As a small child when I would visit my grandmother who had a little home in Burbank I was a bit overwhelmed by what appeared to a 4 year old as a giant either photo or painting of my great grandmother in her Waltraude costume for a Wagner opera over the fireplace. She had died long before I was born but apparently in real life she was as imposing as her portrait.
She became the inspiration for the cartoon character of the opera singer with this costume. At that time opera singers made their own costumes so this was her creation. She was also the inspiration for the phrase, "It's not over till the fat lady sings." She was a bit heavy but although very powerful and charismatic quite small of stature.
I wish so much I could have known her. My mother had wonderful stories to tell as she lived with her until her Nona died in 1936.
I have no idea what became of the portrait I remember from my childhood but decided to try to recreate it as best I could.
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