Victor S., writes: "Armanda is my grandmother, the mother of my father. She was born in 1901 and passed from us in 1970. She was an amazing artist... Her accomplishments were many, but she sang as a prima donna for many years with the famous San Carlo Opera company which was owned by Fortune Gallo and toured extensively in the 30's and 40's... In California, Armanda was coached by the famous maistro Genaro Curci. She lived most of her life in Los Angeles, where she worked in Hollywood for years as a contract singer/actress. It was in this time that she worked with Christine, probably for RKO studios, with whom she was on contract at the time of the Blue Danube recording. Armanda had a Hollywood debut at the famous Grauman Chinese theatre where she wowed the critics, and many celebrities, of that period. Armanda is remembered by her family with deep fondness... now that I've read through more of Christine's biography, I'm convinced that she and Armanda must have been friends, not only having the San Carlo in common but also RKO studios! Also Armanda spent alot of time in Arizona, she even lived there for a while, so these two songbirds had very much in common... Armanda was married to my grandfather Mattias S., a muralist/painter. It was a brief marriage... but my father was born in 1937 from the union. Mattias passed in 1974... Chirot is a French name from Armanda's grandfather who was born in Brest, France." Many thanks to Victor, who includes this publicity shot of Armanda from around 1930:

(Courtesy of Victor S.)