Frances Alda by Reutlinger

Frances Alda as Manon

FRANCES ALDA
(Fanny Jane Davis)
(31 May 1879Christchurch NZ– 18 September 1952 Venice )
New Zealand Soprano


Was a New Zealand-born, Australian-raised .Her Opera Comique debut in 1904 and which she sang 52 times at La Monnaie in Brussels as well as at La Scala where she was the first Louise under Toscanini and sang opposite Chaliapin in Mefistofole.- (1906-1908). She debuted at the Met in 1908 as Gilda & in 1909 married Gatti-Casazza La Scala's impresario who moved to the Met. A Marchesi pupil and versatile artiste she sang 369 performances at the Met including world premieres of operas by Hadley, Herbert & Damrosch as well standard and unusual roles in the French and Italian repertory often opposite Caruso. She was a prolific recorder and gave extensive concert tours. Very outspoken her autobio Men Women and Tenors is a must.