The Nightingale of South Bank

Florence Easton was born in 1882 in Middlesbrough. After training at the Royal Academy at the turn of the 20th century, she went on to become one of the most versatile English opera singers and became known professionally as ?The Nightingale of South Bank’. Florence settled in America after the start of WW 1 and was famous for her ability to take an unknown part at short notice and perform it flawlessly in public the same day. In 1918, at the Metropolitan Opera, NYC, she created the role of Lauretta in the world premiere of Puccini’s Gianni Schicchi, making her the first soprano ever to sing the famous aria O Mio Babbino Caro. Helena Leonard sings many of Florence’s famous arias from operas including Madam Butterfly, Gianni Schicchi, Aida, Tosca and many more as she tells you the story of the fascinating career of Florence Easton.