Mary Garden was the principal soprano of Chicago Grand Opera for over twenty years. Born in Aberdeen, the family moved to the United States when she was still a child. She trained in Paris where she made a triumphant debut as the lead in Charpentier's opera, Louise, in 1900. A larger than life character, Garden trained for her role in Strauss's Salome by climbing Mount Blanc to strengthen her lungs and she inspired the French composer Claude Debussy to create the role of Melisande.