Mary Garden

This image was created originally as a costume design for Mary Garden's role as Fiora in the opera "L'Amore dei Tre Re" in 1926. Erté created a number of costumes for Mary Garden, an American opera singer. Described as "the Sarah Bernhardt of opera," Garden was an exceptional actress as well as a talented singer. She was particularly admired for her nuanced performances, which employed interesting uses of vocal color."L'Amore dei Tre Re" is an opera in three acts by Italo Montemezzi. The story is set in Italy during the Dark Ages. Archibaldo, the blind king, conquered the kingdom of Altura forty years before the opera begins, and the people there object to his ruling. Archibaldo's son Manfredo was married to the native Alturan princess Fiora, however, the princess Fiora is having an affair with another Alturan prince, Avito. Although Archibaldo suspects Fiora of infidelity he has no proof. Manfredo pours out his love for Fiora, and begs her to show him affection. In the meantime, there