Taylor Swift Gives A Nod To Opera-Singing Grandmother

Taylor Swift’s record-breaking Eras Tour includes “Marjorie,” a tribute to her grandmother Marjorie Finlay.

What’s up?: Clocking in at over three hours and in ten distinct acts, Taylor Swift comes by the operatic scope of her Eras tour honestly. Swift’s maternal grandmother, Marjorie Finlay, was an award-winning coloratura soprano who Swift claims inspired her to pursue a music career.

Wait, really?: Yep. Swift was so influenced by her grandmother she wrote a song for her on her 2020 Evermore album, “Marjorie.” Her producer and the co-writer of “Marjorie,” Aaron Dessner, sampled archival recordings of Finlay’s soprano for the final portion of the song.

Rolling Stone magazine considers “Marjorie” the centrepiece of Swift’s evermore album.

Did Swift herself ever consider a career in opera?: Not so much. Swift described being influenced by Shania Twain, Dolly Parton and The Chicks as a young singer, rather than Callas and Caballé. But the scope of her tour, its costuming, visuals, length and fervour decidedly demonstrate operatic influence.

Those lucky enough to have secured tix will enjoy the late Marjorie Finlay’s coloratura soprano pouring through speakers midway through her granddaughter’s set.

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Sara Schabas

Sara Schabas is a soprano and writer born and bred in the heart of Toronto’s musical community. When she’s not singing opera, you can find her covering Carole King on the ukulele, biking through the Annex and advocating the merits of Puccini.