American opera star from the Metropolitan Opera (1906-1922) who was summoned to films briefly by Cecil B. DeMille and starred in a few of his early pictures, among others. Once wed to silent screen actor Lou Tellegen, who later committed suicide.
Buried in Kensico Cemetery, Valhalla, New York - Section 167, Lot 1B1 (behind the big Cobb Mausoleum)
Highly regarded as one of the great beauties of her day, as well as one of the great voices of all time, she had a long, passionate affair with Arturo Toscanini during his years as chief conductor at the Metropolitan Opera (1908 - 1915). It was supposedly Farrar's ultimatum that she would make the affair public if Toscanini did not leave his wife for her that led to Toscanini's abrupt resignation from the company. Many years later, when Farrar served caviar at a reception for Toscanini, the latter was heard to remark, "Amazing. I slept with the woman for seven years and she still can't remember that I hate fish."
One of the most famous opera singers of the early twentieth century.
She made a recording of a famous opera duet with her friend and frequent stage co-star, legendary tenor Enrico Caruso. Caruso had had a drink before the recording session, and at one point on the record, according to nearly all sources, Farrar can be clearly heard singing (in place of the original words) the line "He had a highball".
She was awarded 2 Stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Motion Pictures at 1620 Vine Street and for Recording at 1709 Vine Street in Hollywood, California.
When acting in silent films, demanded a pianist and a violinist on the set to provide mood music, a string trio for especially dramatic scenes.