Vertical File Biographies

This is an individual biography from the vertical file of biographical information, primarily newspaper clippings, created by the Kansas State Histocial Society Library and Archives division. This is a concise version--there may be more information in this or other sources.

Genevieve Zielinski

Genevieve Zielinski was a product of the Polish settlement in Kansas City, Kansas during the early years of the twentieth century. She sang at talent shows held at St. Joseph’s Church and friends of her family encouraged them to get Genevieve singing lessons.

By 1916 she was a star of Aborn Opera Company in New York receiving praises from that city’s music critics. Ms. Zielinski was a coloratura soprano capable of very high ranges and sang with great warmth. She had mastered eight languages and sang equally as well in any of them.
By 1921, she had repertoire of 250 songs including popular music as well as selections from the world’s great operas. However the one that pleased audiences most was “Annie Laurie” which she sang at almost every concert. When asked if she ever forgot the words to a song, she replied, “No, one is not apt to forget words of a song. The music speaks them. All the singer has to do is express the story of the song.”

Sources:
“Comes Back A Star, Kansas City To Hear Genevieve Zielinski For The First Time,” Kansas Star, 30 May 1916.

“Home Town Girl is Visiting Mother Prior to Concert Tour,” Kansas City Kansan, 1 February 1921.

The vertical file is on forty-three microfilm reels arranged alphabetically by name. These reels are available through interlibrary loan, or you may contact the reference staff . Please note that many of the clippings had yellowed and it may be impossible to produce a readable photocopy.

Completion of this biography was made possible by volunteer Frank Sotrines.