Celebrating 81 Years of Florence Foster Jenkins at Carnegie Hall
- Joseph Stanek
- Oct 24
- 11 min read
Updated: 7 days ago
I. October 25, 1944: Florence Foster Jenkins Makes History at Carnegie Hall
Of all the performers to grace Carnegie Hall in its first 54 years, none filled its seats as quickly or unexpectedly as Florence Foster Jenkins. Billed as a coloratura soprano, the 76-year-old vocal arts activist sold out her debut concert in less than two hours.
The demand was astonishing. Even after accommodating every possible overflow—packing the aisles with patrons eager to stand shoulder-to-shoulder—the venue's management had to turn away over 2,000 hopefuls. These individuals flooded the sidewalks and streets outside, desperate to witness the most talked-about concert in Carnegie Hall's history, a title it still holds today.
Notable audience members that evening included American composer Cole Porter, famed soprano Lily Pons, and numerous professional singers from the Metropolitan Opera Company. These were her closest friends and fellow lovers of song.
Today, archival custodians at Carnegie Hall report that more inquiries are made about Mme. Jenkins' performance than any other. This includes legendary appearances by musical icons like Judy Garland, Frank Sinatra, and The Beatles. Even the Chicago Symphony Orchestra's famed 1970 concert of Mahler's 5th Symphony, which holds the record for Carnegie Hall's longest ovation at a staggering 35 minutes, pales in comparison.
Florence Foster Jenkins tapped into a cultural zeitgeist that resonates even today. Exactly 81 years after her concert at Carnegie, people worldwide remain captivated by the improbable career and legendary performances of this eccentric, ambitious, and audacious singer.
Was it her extravagant costumes? Or her larger-than-life theatrics? Yes, every bit of flair added to her allure. Yet beneath the razzle-dazzle lies the story of a woman who, despite enduring sixty years of medically sanctioned poisoning with arsenic and mercury, never lost her sense of self-determination. She used it to make her biggest dreams come true.
As we celebrate her enduring spirit, let's remember that Florence Foster Jenkins, despite enormous challenges, insisted on being heard in a world that didn't know what to make of her.
And isn't that, by and large, the dream of every artist?
II. How I Fell for Mme. Florence Foster Jenkins, Long Before Hollywood Did
I discovered Florence Foster Jenkins while attending the South Carolina Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities as a junior. As a vocal major, I quickly devoured every recording in the school's music library, leading me to explore other vocal gems online.
One of the first websites I found featured the highest and lowest voices in recorded music history. It included audio clips of various voice parts, from Mado Robin to Luciano Pavarotti. At the bottom of the webpage was a novelty mention of a woman named "Florence Foster Jenkins," along with a short clip of her singing "Der Hölle Rache."
The author of the webpage intended this to be a light-hearted send-off for readers. However, I saw the audio clip as a cliffhanger—a breadcrumb leading to a treasure I had to find.
I remember calling every music store in upstate South Carolina. No one carried this album. After weeks of searching, I finally found it on eBay. I snatched it up and soon became the local expert on all things Florence Foster Jenkins.
For many listeners, including myself, the novelty of her terrible singing wears off quickly. Yet I couldn't let it go. Why was I so intrigued by this woman?
If she had known she was bad, wouldn't she have leaned into it more? All I heard was her voice. While it was bad enough on its own, she sounded committed to her delivery, making me think she wasn't in on the joke like everyone else.
Although her singing left much to be desired against the standards we expect, I heard an authenticity in her voice that was absent in others. I developed a profound respect for her bravery in unabashedly presenting something she was clearly passionate about to the world.
The Power of Passion
Florence Foster Jenkins' story is not just about her singing; it's about her passion for music. Her unwavering dedication to her art reminds us that the love for what we do can shine through, even in the face of criticism.
Her journey encourages us to embrace our passions, regardless of how others perceive them. In a world that often prioritizes perfection, her example teaches us that authenticity and joy can resonate more deeply than technical skill.
III. The Woman, the Hullabaloo, the Courage, the Authenticity
Whatever your opinion of her singing abilities, you must acknowledge her determination to make her dreams come true. She immersed her life in music and shared it with others in any way she could. As a wealthy patron and seasoned concertgoer, she used her resources to fund her art and forge her own legend. In an era when women rarely self-produced, Florence was her own label, manager, and PR machine. Her monthly tableaux vivantes “Musicales” at the Ritz-Carlton became social events attended by New York’s elite. She was, in every sense, an early influencer of imperfection.
Quirky Fact
According to Nicholas Martin and Jasper Rees’ biography of Jenkins, she preferred her audiences to sit in mismatched dining chairs for her recitals. She loved the absurdity of it all and believed comfort encouraged better listening. This was entirely on-brand for a woman who refused to fit the mold.
The Legacy of Courage
Florence Foster Jenkins' legacy is one of courage and authenticity. She dared to be herself in a world that often demands conformity. Her story inspires us to embrace our uniqueness and pursue our passions, regardless of societal expectations.
In a time when many artists feel pressured to fit a certain mold, Jenkins' example serves as a reminder that true artistry comes from being unapologetically oneself.
IV. The Physiology of a Miracle
Among all the reviews I've found of her singing, none mention a crucial detail: Florence Foster Jenkins was seventy-six years old at her Carnegie debut. By that age, the female voice typically loses elasticity due to post-menopausal changes. Any coloratura, even those who achieved international success, would struggle to sing these arias at 76. In my humble opinion, she sounds just as one would expect for someone her age tackling opera's most difficult coloratura selections.
But here's the kicker. Florence was diagnosed with syphilis at 18 and underwent nearly 60 years of neurotoxic medical treatments with mercury and arsenic to manage the disease. It's astonishing she lived as long as she did. These treatments relentlessly poisoned her body, compromising her nervous system and auditory capabilities. Performing at Carnegie Hall under such conditions borders on the impossible.
Her recordings are not merely curiosities; they are miracles of willpower. To mount an entire program of Verdi, Mozart, and Delibes under those conditions was heroic. Listening with empathy reveals not the folly most attribute to her abilities, but fierce stamina and joy.
If Jenkins had sung in our century, her engineers could have easily “fixed” her intonation. The irony? We might never have known how extraordinary her courage was.
The Impact of Adversity
Florence Foster Jenkins' story illustrates how adversity can shape an artist's journey. Her struggles did not deter her; instead, they fueled her passion for music. She transformed her challenges into a source of strength, reminding us that our obstacles can become stepping stones to greatness.
In a world that often celebrates perfection, Jenkins' legacy encourages us to embrace our imperfections and find beauty in our unique journeys.
V. Did She Know? The Unretouched Voice in an Autotuned Age
Florence Foster Jenkins absolutely knew what good singing sounded like. She attended the Met, corresponded with professional musicians, and hired top-tier conductors and accompanists to aid her vocal journey.
She also held leadership positions in most of the women's clubs she belonged to. Including the Verdi Club, the organization she founded herself, she was also a member of the Mozart Club, the Manhattan Study Club, the Genealogy Society Club, National Society of Patriotic Women, Daughters of the American Revolution, The Round Table Club, the Fresh Air Fund, the Eastern Star Club, the Knickerbocker Relief, Arts and Sciences Club, the Euterpe Club, the New Yorkers, the Musicians Club, the Rubinstein Club, and the Drama Comedy Club. One simply cannot surround oneself with such things and not develop a somewhat refined artistic taste. It was the slow decline of her hearing and sanity, for lack of a better word, that created the delusion. Plus, no one wanted to tell the most significant arts benefactor of the time that she was not the skilled singer she thought she was.
Let's also point out that Florence lived before digital editing, pitch correction, and autotune. What you hear on her records is exactly what she sounded like — unretouched, unfiltered, and fearless. I'd love for any contemporary singer to try the same.
Today, entire pop careers are tuned beyond recognition. The YouTube channel Wings of Pegasus analyzes this phenomenon, showing how technology disguises vocal flaws. If Jenkins had sung in our century, her engineers could have easily “fixed” her intonation. The irony? We might never have known how extraordinary her courage was.
Her honesty, forever immortalized for us, reminds us that transparency is a higher form of artistry. In her imperfection, one can still hear truth. In her unedited vibrato and in each quarter-tone she sings, we hear humanity itself.
"The truth of it is, most of us are more like Florence than we are Tetrazzini… but Florence had something else too: a sheer joy in her performances.” - Tom Service, The Guardian (2016)
The Importance of Authenticity
Florence Foster Jenkins' journey highlights the importance of authenticity in artistry. In a world filled with filters and edits, her unfiltered voice serves as a powerful reminder that true artistry lies in being genuine.
Her story encourages artists to embrace their unique voices and share them with the world, regardless of societal expectations. In doing so, we can create a more inclusive and diverse artistic landscape.
VI. The Joy of Singing — Untamed and Unapologetic
Florence Foster Jenkins was, like many of us, a devotee of music’s magical power. Neuroscience confirms what she lived every day: singing releases dopamine and oxytocin, boosting confidence and joy. Florence didn’t just love music — she relied on it. It was her emotional lifeline, and perhaps her physical one, too.
Her joy was palpable. Witness accounts from Carnegie Hall describe audiences oscillating between laughter and awe. At the heart of their reactions was a tinge of catharsis. When a performer dares to love the sound they make, even imperfectly, that energy becomes contagious.
As a coach, I tell my students: authenticity always trumps technique. With enough practice, anyone can deliver a technically sound performance. But an authentic performance requires a self-awareness that is rare. Florence reminds us that technique can be taught, but joy must be reclaimed.
The Transformative Power of Joy
Florence Foster Jenkins' story illustrates the transformative power of joy in music. Her passion and enthusiasm for singing inspired those around her, creating a sense of community and connection.
In a world that often prioritizes technical perfection, her example encourages us to embrace the joy of creation. By sharing our authentic selves, we can inspire others to do the same, fostering a culture of acceptance and celebration of individuality.
VII. Democratizing Art: Florence as the People's Diva
The best thing about Mme. Jenkins is that she cracked open opera’s marble facade and made it accessible to everyone. For centuries, classical music had been a gated domain of “the trained.” Florence burst through those gates with carnations in her hair and costumes she designed herself, proving that the love of art, not technical mastery, grants you citizenship in its kingdom.
In doing so, she democratized art. She became a patron saint for every shower singer, every karaoke hero, and every untrained music lover who sings because they can’t help it. The laughter she inspired wasn’t derision — it was recognition. She gave us permission to participate.
The Legacy of Inclusivity
Florence Foster Jenkins' legacy is one of inclusivity and empowerment. She showed that art belongs to everyone, regardless of skill level. Her story encourages us to embrace our creative expressions and share them with the world.
By breaking down barriers and challenging societal norms, Jenkins paved the way for future generations of artists. Her example reminds us that art is a universal language that can unite and inspire us all.
VIII. From Carnegie to Broadway: A Legacy Reimagined
I'm not the only one inspired by Florence Foster Jenkins' performances. Her story inspired Souvenir, Stephen Temperley’s 2005 Broadway play starring Judy Kaye, which reframed her life as an ode to self-preservation and honesty. Seeing her story honored on the same stages I now work upon feels like a form of poetic justice. Florence had always belonged in the theatre — she just arrived eighty years early.
The Impact of Theatre
Theatre has the power to transform stories into experiences. Florence Foster Jenkins' legacy continues to inspire artists and audiences alike. Her story serves as a reminder that every voice matters and that authenticity can shine brightly on any stage.
As we celebrate her contributions to the arts, let us also recognize the importance of storytelling in shaping our understanding of ourselves and each other.
IX. Lessons for Today’s Singers: Have the Audacity to Be Yourself
Five Things Florence Taught Me About Singing & Life
Authenticity outlasts approval. The applause fades; integrity stays.
Confidence is contagious. Believe so completely that others must too.
Audience connection trumps perfection. Jenkins made people feel something, which is rarer than hitting high C.
Your brand is your truth. She built hers on fearless transparency.
There’s power in imperfection. The quiver, the crack, the breath, the wobble — they’re what make you human.
The Importance of Lifelong Learning
Florence Foster Jenkins' journey is a testament to the importance of lifelong learning. She embraced her passion for music and continually sought to improve her craft.
Her story encourages us to pursue our interests with curiosity and dedication. By committing to our growth, we can unlock our full potential and inspire others along the way.
X. The Audacity to Sing Anyway
Florence Foster Jenkins died just a month after her Carnegie triumph, but her memory lives on in every voice that dares to sing despite what others may say. She reminds us that happiness, too, is an art form — and that sincerity outlives virtuosity. Perhaps her fame will continue to grow, as it has for other misunderstood geniuses. The question isn’t what she achieved in her lifetime, but what she inspires in ours.
Because in the end, Florence’s true gift wasn’t her delusion. It was her permission. She sang so that we might dare to, too.
The Legacy of Courage
Florence Foster Jenkins' legacy is one of courage and inspiration. Her story encourages us to embrace our unique voices and share them with the world.
As we reflect on her life, let us remember the importance of authenticity and the power of music to connect us all.
References
Service, Tom. “Florence Foster Jenkins: we may laugh, but to be this bad took talent.” The Guardian, 4 May 2016.
Martin, Nicholas & Rees, Jasper. Florence Foster Jenkins: The Inspiring True Story of the World’s Worst Singer. St. Martin’s Press, 2016.
Bullock, Darryl W. Florence Foster Jenkins: The Life of the World’s Worst Opera Singer. The Overlook Press, 2016.
Souvenir, by Stephen Temperley. Broadway Play, Lyceum Theatre, 2005.
Florence Foster Jenkins: The Singer Who Missed Every Note (Documentary, YouTube).
Wings of Pegasus YouTube Channel – Analysis of Vocal Transparency and Autotune.
“Florence Foster Jenkins.” Wikipedia.
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