Background
Ernestine Schumann-Heink (1861-1936) arrived in the United States in 1898, following a career as an opera singer in Europe.
Upon her arrival, Schumann-Heink signed as a singer with the Metropolitan Opera in New York City. After five seasons with
the Metropolitan, Schumann-Heink returned briefly to Germany. Her stay in Germany was brief, and she soon returned to the
United States. Shortly after her return, her second husband, Paul Schumann died. In 1905, Schumann-Heink was married to her
secretary, William Rapp, from whom she was divorced in 1914.