As a collector of vintage images featuring entertainers wearing assiut, I am always thrilled and delighted when I find an image. This lovely is the Parisian opera singer Yvonne Gall. This lovely French opera singer was born in 1885 and studied her craft at the Conservatoire de Paris. She performed professionally as an operatic soprano from 1908 to 1935.
There are quite a few postcards of Yvonne, some with labeled with the title of the opera or the specific character she played. Others, like this lovely image on the right, are unlabelled, a move often made when I costume could imply several different roles.
This ensemble is quite lovely composed of a simple sleeveless tunic made from lined assiut and edged with fringe. A kuchi-style pendant and belt along with the veil worn under her headdress and the long length of exposed leg, give this ensemble the air of a dancer.
Yvonne performed primarily in Paris appearing in both lyrical and dramatic roles. She spent time in Chicago appearing in the American premiere of Ravel’s L’heure espagnole. When she retired from performance, she returned to the Paris Conservatory to train the next generation of singers.
We are very fortunate that she was part of the first wave of opera singers to have been recorded so while you look at her image, you can listen to her sing the Willow Song from Otello in 1922. There are many more images of vintage assiut, along with a history of the cloth in my book, The Cloth of Egypt: All About Assiut.
Enjoy!
Dawn Devine ~ Davina
November 15, 2017