Diva and the Rancher : The Story of Norma Piper and George Pocaterra

Big dreams, dashed hopes and romance are at the heart of this biography of Norma and George Pocaterra.

The story begins in 1903 when George Pocaterra left Italy and came to the Canadian Rockies with hopes of striking it rich.

George is best known for establishing the Buffalo Head Ranch in the foothills of Alberta.

He developed a close friendship with members of the Stoney Indians, and was one of the first non-Natives to explore much of what is now called Kananaskis Country.

In 1933, he returned to Italy, where he met and fell in love with Norma Piper, a young Calgary singer who had moved to Italy to study opera.

They eventually married, and George took over the management of Norma's rising operatic career.

World War II forced a return to Canada in 1939. In Calgary, Norma became part of the local music scene, giving concerts and teaching singing at Mount Royal College.

In 1955, she started her own studio and over the next 25 years became one of Calgary's most loved music teachers.

George, meanwhile, continued with his coal-mining ventures, although he suffered bitter disappointments. Drawing on personal diaries and correspondence, the authors have created an intimate portrait of these remarkable Albertans who became, each in their own way, legends in their lifetimes.