Fonds consists of recital programmes, correspondence, audio recordings, printing blocks and photographs. It is organized into two series. Series one contains Fischer's professional activities (containers 1-2, 5-7). Series two contains Fischer's personal activities (containers 3-4).
Fonds consists of recital programmes, correspondence, audio recordings, printing blocks and photographs. It is organized into two series. Series one contains Fischer's professional activities (containers 1-2, 5-7). Series two contains Fischer's personal activities (containers 3-4).
Date
1913-1975
Fonds No.
1017
Storage Location
JPL
History Biographical
Sarah Fischer was born in Paris, France, moved as a young girl to England, where she attended grade school. At the age of 13 she and her parents (1909) came to Canada and they settled in Montreal. In Montreal, Fischer was employed as a long distance operator during the day and at night took free singing lessons at the Monument Nationale. In 1917, Fischer won the Strathcona Award which enabled her to go to London, England on a three-year scholarship at the Royal College of Music. She left Montreal in 1919 and with a few interruptions spent the next 21 years of her life abroad.
She sang in major opera houses in Europe, gave numerous radio recitals and concerts and achieved good reviews. She was considered a most lyrical soprano with a beautiful appearance and good acting ability.
In 1940 she returned to Montreal. For the next 35 years, until she died on May 3, 1975, Fischer spent most of her time orgnanizing the Sarah Fischer Concerts where young musicians got a chance to appear in public and show their talent. Many prominent Canadian musicians got their start with these concerts.
Language
English
Related Material
Related photographs in the JPL Photograph Collection. Larger collection of Sarah Fischer housed at the Library and Archives of Canada.