About
Pierre Petit, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Pauline Viardot was a celebrated French mezzo-soprano, pedagogue, and composer of the 19th century. Born into the renowned García opera family, she initially aspired to become a concert pianist, studying with Franz Liszt and performing duets with Frédéric Chopin. However, her mother redirected her focus to singing, leading her to a legendary operatic career that inspired composers such as Chopin, Hector Berlioz, and Camille Saint-Saëns.
Viardot retired from the stage after 24 years, moving with her family to Baden-Baden, Germany, and later returning to France. There, she taught at the Paris Conservatory and hosted influential music salons. Her compositions include over fifty songs, three salon operas, and numerous instrumental works.
Cendrillon, one of her salon operas, was first performed in 1904. It remains a testament to her talent and her ability to craft works that advanced the vocal abilities of her students while captivating audiences with charm and elegance.
Meet the Team

Dr. Rachel Harris
Dr. Rachel M. Harris
Charles Effler
Charles Effler was the director of the opera program at Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond, La. from 2002 to 2023. He produced, musically prepared the casts and orchestras and conducted performances of two fully staged productions each academic year. Productions include the musical revue, It’s Only Life, The Light in the Piazza, South Pacific, Peter Pan, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Songs for a New World, Into the Woods, Cabaret, Street Scene, The Tender Land, La Perichole, Fairy Tales: Hansel & Gretel and Cendrillon (Viardot), The Magic Flute, Puccini: Suor Angelica and Gianni Schicchi, The Pirates of Penzance, Die Fledermaus, Too Many Sopranos, The Marriage of Figaro, The Merry Wives of Windsor, Dan Shore’s Works of Mercy and The Beautiful Bridegroom, and the world premiers of Gwyneth Walker’s Evangeline and Thomas Pasatieri’s revised version of La Divina. He holds BM and MM degrees from Southeastern.