McLean County Vocalists

Marie Eugenia von Elsner’s (1856-1883) powerful voice brought her fame on both American and European stages. Her father, a trained musician himself, recognized Marie’s potential at a young age and made sure she had the proper training.

By the age of 14, Marie was performing across the United States. Soon after she was training in Europe.

In 1878, at the age of 22, she made her Paris debut using the stage name Marie Litta.

The response to Marie’s European debut was overwhelming.

“Ladies stood up in their boxes and burst their gloves clapping... Elegantes threw upon the stage bouquets they had brought with them.”

— John M. Scott, 1897

Marie continued to perform for European audiences, her fame growing with each concert.

The media called her the “Queen of Song” and the “Reigning Musical Star of America.”

When she returned to the U.S., Marie formed her own company — the Litta Concert Company. Eager to please her fans and to keep those working for her employed, she continued to add new dates to her already busy schedule. At the time she was earning $75,000 annually (equal to $1.5 million in 2016).

In the spring of 1883 Marie grew ill and collapsed after a concert. Adoring fans gathered at the station to see her board the train headed back to her Bloomington home to recover. A few weeks later, on July 7, 1883, she died in her parents’ home. She was 27.

Over 12,000 citizens and fans attempted to enter the First Methodist Episcopal Church, where Marie’s funeral was held.