| Remembering Georgina (Nightingale of the North) by Marlene McCarty |
| On Newfoundland's Northeast coast at the end of the "Road to the Isles" lies the picturesque island town of Twillingate, a popular tourist town where every year thousands of visitors come to view icebergs, take pictures of whales, tour the historic lighthouse, and take in the annual Fish, Fun and Folk Festival. These attractions, plus magnificent scenery, friendly folks, and plenty of "down home" cooking are exactly what visitors to this centuries-old town expect. But one local attraction that they don't expect to find in a small Newfoundland town is a magnificent monument to a world famous Opera singer. Georgina Anne Stirling, the tenth child of Dr. William Stirling and his wife Anne S. Peyton was born and raised in Twillingate. From early childhood, she expressed a passion for music and singing. Before the age of fifteen, Georgina was the church organist. She later studied in Toronto at Carl Martens, Teacher of the Piano, Violin and Theory of Music. Following the death of her father in 1890 Georgina auditioned in Paris for Mademoiselles Marchisi and Melba. In a letter to her sister regarding her audition she writes that Melba said, "My dear young lady, yours is a voice that the world is waiting for, and you will be a great, great woman." She later studied under Malthide Marchesi who was considered one of the finest music teachers in Europe. Georgina's dream was to pursue a career as an opera singer. And in 1893 she made her Paris debut. Taking the stage name of Mlle. Marie Toulinguet ( Toulinguet is the original French name for Twillingate) she went on to perform on stages throughout the world. While on a visit to the capital city of St. John's, Newfoundland in 1895, Georgina reportedly "brought the house down," with her performance. And across the United States the critics went wild about her singing. After touring the USA as Prima Donna Soprano of Colonel Mapleson's Imperial Opera (1897-1898) one American music critic wrote "a voice such as hers comes but once in a lifetime." The highlight of her career came when she sang in the La Scala Opera House in Milan before the Italian Royal Family. Mlle. Toulinguet became the toast of the opera world as music lovers from far and wide bestowed praises on the "Songstress of Newfoundland." However, in mid-career tragedy struck. The "Nightingale of the North," as her adoring public affectionately named her, became afflicted with a severe throat ailment and as a result, she lost her beautiful voice. She returned to Twillingate to live with her older sister, Rosetta. As avid gardeners the sisters created a beautiful garden with a variety of flowers and trees. Two beautiful apple trees planted by the famous singer still bloom today. Georgina Stirling was also remembered by those who knew her as a very kind woman. And some recall an incident where she took off her dress and gave it to a poor woman who came to her door. She was a founding member of the Dorcas Society (a charitable woman's group whose mission was to help the poor) and even today there are some who remember her tireless devotion to the poor people in the area. Georgina also loved animals, and in addition to her cats, she owned a pet piglet which she often carried with her. However, the realization that her career was over left the former Prima Donna suffering from long bouts of extreme depression. Eventually, she turned to alcohol as an escape. After a very lengthy stay at Duxhurst Farm Colony in Surrey, England where she was treated for alcoholism, Georgina again returned to Twillingate where she resumed her interest in gardening and continued to be involved with the Dorcas Society. Although, Georgina never returned to the stage as an opera singer she often entertained by singing and playing the organ for friends. And it was at the home of Mrs. Gabriel Hewlett (a personal friend) that she played for the last time. When asked to sing and play the organ after dinner, Georgina said she would play, but she would never sing again. And play she did--as if she knew it would be her last time. And it was. After the evening was over she went home and never left her house again. On Easter Sunday morning (April 21, 1935) Georgina died of cancer. On the day of the funeral at St. Peter's Anglican Cemetery the snow was so deep that a diagram had to be used to locate the family burial plot. When gravediggers finally found the plot, they discovered there was no room for Georgia's casket! Instead she was buried a short distance away. And for twenty-nine years Georgina Stirling lay in an unmarked grave. There was nothing--no marker of any kind to indicate the final resting place of the great opera star. However, in the early sixties Mr. Hiram Silk of the CBC in Grand Falls, Newfoundland started a campaign to raise money for a headstone to mark Georgina's grave. But it would be another two years before sufficient funds were collected. Finally, twenty-nine years after her death, the imposing monument was delivered. On July 19, 1964 a service was held in memory of Twillingate's most famous citizen. The service was followed by a dedication at the cemetery where the whole town was invited to pay homage to Georgina. Today, visitors from around the world stand in awe in the tiny cemetery and read the inscription on the six and a half foot high monument: In memory of Georgina Stirling (Mlle. Toulinguet) Prima Donna. Died April 21, 1935 aged 68 years. Songstress of Newfoundland. The Nightingale of the North sang fairer than the larks of Italy. She entertained royalty by the sweetness of her voice and the poor by the kindness of her heart. Erected by an admiring public 1964. Note: The death of Rosetta two years later marked the end of the family name "Stirling" in the town of Twillingate. Home Back Next |