Florence Foster Jenkins was a wealthy heiress who parlayed her financial means into a singing career despite her colossal lack of talent. She was philanthropic and had a large social presence resulting in minor celebrity and sold out concerts regardless of her skill.
“The difference between Madame Jenkins and other artists is simple. Other artists occasionally hit a wrong note. Madame Jenkins occasionally hits a right note,” said George Marek.
Madame Jenkins life has been turned into a biopic staring Meryl Streep; since my husband takes a lot of convincing when it comes to seeing “off the beaten path” Indy movies I decided to tackle her newly released biography first. Strangely, like Nicholas Sparks’ The Last Song, the movie’s screenplay preempted the book; Meryl’s upcoming performance is mentioned a few times which is a little strange.
Florence! Foster!! Jenkins!!! is brief (less than 200 pages including the additional notes and index) but captures the highlights. Jenkins was born Narcissa Florence Foster in 1868 to wealthy parents in Pennsylvania. She grew up playing piano and singing but her father did not approve of her continuing her music after graduation. She escaped her father by eloping in Philadelphia to Dr. Frank Jenkins; they divorce a few years later after he gives her syphilis.
Once Jenkins father died, leaving her half his fortune, she was able to pursue her musical aspirations in New York. She also began her relationship with B list stage actor St. Clair Bayfield, though they never married they remained partners until her death. While you can’t hear her voice in the pages you can trust the countless sources that Madame Jenkins was an abysmal opera singer. Her audience would enthusiastically clap to mask their laughter (probably sending mixed signals).
While Jenkins led a public life there wasn’t enough to form a captivating biography, besides her tone deafness there isn’t much else to discuss which ultimately makes it disappointing. Reading Bullock’s book or seeing Meryl’s performance on HBO in six months will probably take the same amount of time.