Maria de Lourdes Lucia Antonia (Pichot Gironés) Gay (1876 - 1943)

Born 12 Jun 1876 in Catalonia, Spain

Wife of Giovanni Zenatello — married 1906 in Milano, Lombardy, Italy

Died 29 Jul 1943 at age 67 in New York City, New York, United States

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Biography

Maria (Pichot Gironés) Gay is Notable.

Maria was born 12 Jun 1876, in Catalonia, Spain.

According to legend, young Maria was arrested for singing revolutionary and nationalist songs in Catalonia. In prison, she defiantly continued to sing them, with a voice so fine that she was offered a chance to study bel canto. She was a singing pupil of soprano Ada Adini.

In 1897, she married the Catalan composer Joan Gay i Planella, with whom she had two daughters and a son, all of whom died young: her daughters died of illness as teenagers, while her son in war.

In 1902, Maria debuted in the title role of Carmen in Brussels. She was a hit in the role and became one of the era's best era's best interpreters of Bizet's famous heroine. In 1908, she made her debut in Carmen for the Met in New York City opposite Geraldine Farrar as Micaela. In 1910 she performed the same role with the Boston Opera Company as Carmen.

During her career, Maria made a series of gramophone records for the Columbia Phonograph Company.

In 1906, Maria met tenor Giovanni Zenatello while performing at Milan's La Scala Arena. Maria and Zenatello presented as husband and wife in Europe for many years, although it wasn't until they returned to the United States in 1917 that they were officially married in New York City.

Later in life, Maria and Zenatello worked to find, train, and promote promising young opera singers. Their most famous find was Lily Pons, who the couple managed until Pons and the couple had a falling-out.

In 1936, Maria and Zenatello established a home in Manhattan, New York City, where she lived the rest of her life. She died on 20 July 1943 in New York City. She was buried in Ferncliff Cemetery in Hartsdale, New York. Her tomb is engraved "Maria Zenatello."

Sources

• Wikipedia contributors. "Maria Gay." Wikipedia, 30 Jan. 2020. Web. 24 May. 2021.

• Find a Grave (database with images) Memorial 21255852, Maria Gay.