Anna Case and Her Dogs

The career of soprano Anna Case is filled with many distinctions. The South Branch, New Jersey blacksmith's daughter was the first singer to appear at the Metropolitan Opera without European training, she sang live over the radio in some of the first transmissions to reach a wide audience, and she was featured in the first program of motion picture "talkies" - singing a song that she wrote herself.

7 February 1915 New York Times

But Anna Case wasn't the only member of her family with a historic first. Her prize-winning dog Boris was the first Russian Wolfhound to appear on stage with the Metropolitan. He was led onto the stage by Italian baritone Antonio Scotti for a scene in The Huguenots during a December 1914 performance. The New York Herald described Boris as "a picturesque dog, even when suffering from stage fright, as he was last night."

Portrait by artist Michel Jacobs as reproduced in the
February 1925 Edison Phonograph Monthly magazine.

It is fair to say that the diva loved her dogs, and especially loved Boris. She was photographed numerous times with both Boris (official name Ranco o' Valley Farm) and his son Nickolai. She even chose to have her portrait done by artist Michel Jacobs posing with Boris.

With Boris at The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, February 1915

She also loved showing her dogs, entering them many times over the years at the Westminster Kennel Club annual show, and others on Long Island.

25 March 1923 Asheville, NC Citizen-Times

Anna Case kept her dogs as close as possible. They stayed with her in her New York apartment when she was in town and joined her at her summer residences whether at the Jersey Shore or on Long Island. When she was on tour, the dogs went to stay with her mother in South Branch.

With Boris in New York, October 1916

With Boris and Nickolai on Long Island, August 1921

Summer 1930

Dogs remained an important part of the life of Anna Case after her marriage to communications industry mogul Clarence H. Mackay in 1931, She continued to show dogs, and the couple was photographed often with their pooches. 

With Brownie at the Westbury Dog Show September 1936.

The Mackays with Bang Stone Peggy and Duke, May 1937

Anna and Brownie