Upon the advice of tenor Jean de Reszke, the American-born soprano Geraldine Farrar (1882–1967) apprenticed in many of the leading opera houses throughout Europe. She was especially popular in Germany where she made her Berlin début as Marguerite in Faust in 1901. Five years later she returned to the United States, where she made her Metropolitan Opera début in Gounod’s Romeo and Juliet. Her triumphant appearance a year later in the title rôle of the Met première of Madama Butterfly alongside Caruso, Homer and Scotti secured her international reputation. This 2-CD set features Farrar’s first Victor recordings made after her return to the United States. In addition to operatic arias and duets from Madama Butterfly, Don Giovanni, La bohème, Carmen, Manon, Le nozze di Figaro and Faust, this 2-CD set features several English ballads as well as a spakling rendition of The Star-Spangled Banner.