Lina Cavalieri is known to most as the face behind Fornasetti\u2019s iconic designs. Yet there is so much more to her than this. Here we look at the life behind the face and the story behind the muse.<\/p>\n
Her Life<\/strong><\/p>\n Born in the Italian city of Vitebro, Natalina Cavalieri was orphaned at the age of 15 before running away from the Roman Catholic orphanage to join a travelling theatre company. The love of theatre and music continued as she travelled to Paris where she sang in a caf\u00e9, and eventually gained recognition. She gained traction as an opera singer, making her opera debut in Portugal as Nedda in Pagliacci <\/em>in 1900. Lina\u2019s career as an opera singer continued in Monte Carlo and America, more specifically, Oscar Hammerstein\u2019s Manhattan Opera Company and the Metropolitan Opera in New York. Her popularity grew worldwide. Yet it is said to have been her beauty that captivated audiences. She was frequently called the \u2018Most Beautiful Woman in the World\u2019 and \u2018Most Photographed Opera Singer\u2019. Known for her hourglass figure thanks to corseting, she influenced women to enhance their silhouettes.
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