Pauline Viardot (born Michelle Ferdinande Pauline Garcia, July 18, 1821 - May 18, 1910) was a pianist, mezzo soprano, and pedagogue. Born in Paris in to a Spanish musical family, her father, Manuel Garcia, who was a tenor, teacher, and composer, taught Viardot piano, in addition to giving her vocal lessons. By the age of six, she was fluent in Spanish, French, Italian, English, and later on, Russian. She was an incredible pianist, in addition to singing; she later on took lessons with Liszt and played duets with Chopin. She also studied counterpoint and harmony with Anton Reicha, who taught Liszt and Berlioz. Her career as a professional singer began around the age of twenty eight. She had a long and successful career, and later on taught at the Paris Conservatory, and afterward did much composing. Liszt considered her works genius.
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