19TH CENTURY OPERA SINGERS

LOUISE THEO ( Cécile Piccolo) (1854-1922) French Soprano After a convent schooling she married and began a theatrical career, including a tour to Vienna where she was spotted by Offenbach. The composer engaged her at the Théâtre de la Renaissance to create the title roles in Pomme d'api and La jolie parfumeuse (1873). She followed these with Cupidon in Orphée aux enfers, La Princesse de Trébizonde, La petite muette, La Timbale and Madame l'archiduc (after which she toured to London with Daubray), at the Théâtre des Bouffes-Parisiens.She went on to sing in the premiere of Fleur d'Oranger at the Théâtre des Nouveautés in 1878 and sang Cendrillon at the Théâtre de la Porte Saint-Martin in 1879, and Rataplan and Le Tour du Cadran at the Théâtre des Variétés in 1880. Other creations included Adam et Eve in 1881, Mlle Boniface in 1883, Dix jours aux Pyrénées in 1887 and Mimi in 1888. Théo visited America in 1883 to appear at the Fifth Avenue Theater, and then toured; she returned the following year, appearing in François les bas-bleus, La fille du tambour-major and Giroflé-Girofla.

PIERRE-MARIUS-VICTOR JOURDAN (28 October 1823-February 1879) French Tenor Debut Opera Comique 29th June 1846 "Zémire et Azor" by de Grétry . Engaged at the Opera Comique until 1860 , He was involved in premieres of Halévy’s “Le Val d’Andorre” (1848) and "La fée aux roses" (1849) ,Meyerbeer’s “L’Étoile du Nord” (1854), in Thomas's “La Cour de Célimène” (1855) and in Auber’s “Manon Lescaut” (1856). 1860/69 he was engaged at the Théâtre de la Monnaie in Brussels and performed in the premiere of Lassen’s “Le Captif”.1869/70 engaged at the Théâtre Athénée in Paris, 1870/71 at the Opéra in Antwerp and from 1871/73 again in Brussels at the “”La Monnaie”. After 1873 he was in Holland at the French Opéra in The Hague. In 1871 he made guest appearances at Covent Garden in “Hamlet” and “L’Étoile du Nord”. In 1854 at the première of Berlioz's oratorio “L'enfance du Christ” he performed the role of the Récitant (the narrator). Information thanks to Bialystok-Stavenuiter's

as Scindia in Massenet's "La Roi De Lahore" CREATOR ROLE Palais Garnier 27 April 1877 JEAN-LOUIS LASALLE - (December 10, 1845 or 14 February 1847 - September 07, 1909). French Baritone Father of Robert Lassalle tenor. Student at Paris Concervatoire and later a pupil of Novelli.He made his first appearance on stage as St Bris in "Les Huguenot's" at Liege in 1868. During the next 4 years he sang at Lille , Toulouse , Brussels and the Hague . Debuted at the Opera on 09 June 1872 , as Nelusko "L'Africane". There he took part in many world premieres as Scindia in Massenet's "La Roi De Lahore" 1877 , Severe in Gounod's "Polyeucte" 1878 ,Ben Said in Gounod's "Le Tribute de Zamora ' 1880 ,Malatesta in Thomas's 'Francoise de Rimini" 1880 , and in 1883 the title role of Saint Saens "Henry VIII". He sang at Covent Garden 1879 , 1880 and 1881 and again between 1883-1891.In 1891 he made his Metropolitan Debut as Nelusko in Meyerbeer's "L'Africane". He sang Carmen (Escamillo) at the Opéra-Comique on December 11, 1890, for the erection of the monument to the memory of Bizet.

Louise Homer as Maddelina 'Rigoletto" Verdi LOUISE HOMER (Louise Dilworth Beatty ) (April 30, 1871 – May 6, 1947) American Contralto After some study in Philadelphia and Boston she travelled to Europe to complete her training with Jacques Bouhy in Paris . Debut at vichy as Leonore "La Favorite" . was at Covent Garden for 2 seasons in 1899 as Ortrud , Amneris , Mamma Lucia and Maddelina . Returned to USA in 1900 and made her Metropolitan debut as Amneris , she stayed at the Met until 1919 and returned for the 1927-1930 season

ADELAIDE PHILLIPS (26 October 1833-3 October 1882) English Contralto Came to the United States with her family at the age of seven . When Jenny Lind appeared in Boston in 1850, Adelaide sang for her, and was advised to go to Europe. Pupil of Manuel García.Continued her studies in Italy, and made her début 1853 at Brescia, as Arsace in Semiramide. She sang also in Milan and other cities. Her stage name in Europe was Signorina Fillippi.In 1855 she returned to the US and appeared in Italian opera in Philadelphia and New York City. and travelled to Havana Cuba . In 1860 she made her first appearance in oratorio with the Handel and Haydn Society, Boston, in the Messiah. The following year she went abroad again, and appeared in Paris as Azucena in " Il Trovatore." After a professional tour in Europe she returned to the US. In 1864 she went again to Havana, and from that time until her death she appeared in opera, oratorio, and concerts the USn. She organised her own opera company "The Adelaide Phillipps Opera Company " in 1876, and in 1879 she joined the" Ideal Opera Company", remaining until 1881, when she made her last appearance on the stage in Cincinnati, Ohio.

JOSEFINE REINL (1865-1945) Czech Mezzo later Soprano Studied with Lukesiv & Benevieva-Micova at Prague. Debut 1880 Prague National Opera as Gretchen "Wildschutz' von Litzing Remaine at Prague for 2 years and then sang in Germany at the Stadttheater Koblenz until 1890 , from 1890-1892 , at the Konigberg Theater from 1892-1894 at Opera House Dusseldorf performing mezzo roles .Her voice developed into a dramatic soprano and she performed Wagner roles in Berlin Hofoper . In 1900 she sang in the world premiere of "Cain" by d'Albert at Berlin Court Opera . She performed Wagner roles at Covent Garden and retired to Berlin in 1909 . After her marriage she sang as Reinl-Olszewski

GUILLAUME ALBERT LUBERT (1859-1919) French Tenor Pupil at Societe Sainte Cecile and Conservatory of Music .Appeared in small roles at the Paris opera. His first success was in a concert in 1880 in "Damnation of Faust" at Bordeaux. From 1881-1883 at the Grand Theater Brussells where he was heard as Leopold "La Juive" ,Raymond "Robert de Diable" . Pollio "Norma" and in "La Favorita" , "Faust" & 'Lucia di Lammermoor". On his return to Paris he appeared with Marcella Sembrich in 'La Traviatta" and he remained in Paris performing Italian roles until the end of the 1885 season.He joined the Opera Comique and sang leading roles in "Romeo & Juliette ' , "Manon" , Carmen etc

ADELINA PATTI (19 February 1843 – 27 September 1919) Soprano Her voice was noticed very early and she nade her first tour in America at the age of seven years and was a huge success. Studied singing in New York under the direction of Maurice Strakosch, her brother-in-law, and in 1859 she sang in New York in Lucia di Lammermoor. At Covent Garden theatre in London in 1861 where she sang la Sonnambula, her reputation was strengthened and in 1862 she was singing in Paris at the Théâtre Italien, where she soon became the star. She remained at Paris until 1870, being heard in London during the summer season. In Paris she sang the Italian Repertory, in London the french Repertory. After a long stay in America and London, Patti returned several times to Paris at the Opera (debut in 1874) and the Théâtre de la Gaîté. Then she resumed travels and successfully created, in London, in 1882, the Charles Lenepveu's Velléda. She also created Dolores of André Pollonais in Nice on February 22, 1897. She triumphed especially in a vast Italian repertoire that suited to her beautiful light soprano voice. His career lasted for fifty-six years

PIERRE FRANCOIS VILLARET (1830-1896) French Tenor Debut salle Le Peletier on March 20, 1863 in GUILLAUME TELL (Arnold). Performed LA JUIVE (Eléazar, 1863), LA MUETTE DE PORTICI (Mazianello, 1865), LES HUGUENOTS (Raoul, 1865), the African (Vasco, 1867), ROBERT LE DIABLE (Robert, 1867), the Prophet (John, 1871), LA REINE DE CHYPRE (Gérard, 1877), roles that he sang at the Palais Garnier.

OSCAR ARNOLDSON (Karl Oskar Arnoldson) (4-7-1830-8-7-1881) Swedish Tenor Studied in Upsalla , debut at Mindre Theater in Farinelli , and remained until 1858 when he made his debut as Max in "Die Freischutze" by Weber at Stockholm OperaIn 1858. He became a member of the Royal Academy of Music in 1865 . Among his many roles 'Fra Diavolo" , "Faust ", Almaviva "Barber of Seville" , Tamino "The Magic Flute" . Raoul "'Les Hugeonots" , Arnold "William Tell" and Manrico "Il Trovatore".He made Guest appearances at Berlin He was the father of soprano Sigrid Arnoldson

ANDERS WILLMAN ( Per Anders Johan Willman) (22/7/1834-17/1/1898) Swedish Bass Student_ of Julius Gunther in Stockholm. Debut as Sarastro '"The Magic Flute" in 1854.Engaged at the Royal Opera Stockhol in 1856. Studied singing in Paris 1857-1859 with tenor Gilbert Duprez.Returned and remained at Royal Opera Stockholm. He and his soprano wife Hedwig Harling (1841-1887) were responsible for the Royal Opera School 1877-1886.He was also engaged as the Director of Royal Opera.He retired in 1888

Zoé MOLÉ-TRUFFIER (Colombine). and Lucien Fugure (Pierrot) in "DÎNER DE PIERROT (LE)" By Hess , Truffier was the creator at Opera Comique in 1893 .ZOE CAROLINE MARIA MOLE-TRUFFIER (Zoe Caroline Maria Mole) (1855-1923) French Mezzo Soprano Debut 1880 Paris.Sang at the Opera Comique creating several roles Lucinde "Amour Medecin" Poise 1880 , The Muse "'Tales of Hoffman " Offenbach 1881 ,Madam Rose 'Rose" Banes 1881 Colombine "le Diner de Pierrot" Hess 1893 ,Pousette "Manon" Massenet 1884 , Colette "La Basoche" Carre1890 ,Sang many roles at the Opera Comique including Micaela 'Carmen" Bizet , The Fairy 'The Magic Flute " Mozart LUCIEN FUGERE (July 22, 1848, Paris - January 15, 1935, Paris) was a French baritone, Performed mainly in France . Began his career in 1874 at Les Bouffes Parisiens . In 1877 he joined the Opera Comique appearing in "les Nocesde Jeanette" Masse . He was principal at the Opera Comique for 30 years.Specialised in buffo roles : Leporello , Paspageno , Bartoli , Comte de Grieux ,Don Pasquale , Maequis in Delibes " Le Roi la dit" Dominque in 'Paul et Virginie" , Le Philospher in Massenet's 'Cherubin. In 1897 he made a rare trip outside of France to London Covent Garden were he took part in the Jubilee season , he sang Leporello to Renaud's Don . Made his last appearance as Don Bartolo at the age of 85 in 1933

MARIE RAPPOLD Marie Winterroth (17 August 1874 – 12 May 1957) American Soprano She was born in Berlin , travelled with her parents to Brooklyn when a child.She took later studied with Oscar Saenger and sang with the Amberg German Opera Company.Debut 22 November 1905, at the Metropolitan Opera as Sulamith in Karl Goldmark's Die Königin von Saba (The Queen of Sheba, 1875). She continued to appear at the Met until 1920, during which time, she gave a total of 198 performances in 23 roles and 22 operas. Her second husband was the tenor Rudolf Berger

Original signature of Mole-Truffier although now some what faded and worn

ILMA DE MURSKA ( Ema Pukšec ) (February 6, 1834 – January 14, 1889), Croatian soprano Her career as Ilma de Murska started in 1862 in Florence, Italy as Lady Harriet in Friedrich von Flotow's Martha. Some sources claim she debuted as Marguerite de Valois in Les Huguenots. Her tour of Europe followed by performing in Budapest, Spain and Italy. After a string of 42 successful performances she went to Vienna as a guest artist and sang on August 16, 1864 in Verdi's Il Trovatore. Her period in Vienna closed on August 10, 1873 in a farewell performance, in which she played Ophelia in the very first performance of Ambroise Thomas' Hamlet at the Vienna Court Opera. Her most noted roles included the Queen of the Night in Mozart's The Magic Flute and Lucia di Lammermoor. She also sang the roles of Dinorah and Isabella in Robert le Diable London appearances were from 1865 until after 1873 and were generally in connection with James Henry Mapleson's company. She made her London debut as Lucia di Lammermoor at Her Majesty's Theatre. Her appearance as Queen of the Night in 1865 was a great success In 1866 she sang Meyerbeer's Dinorah. That autumn she played Ophelia in Ambroise Thomas's Hamlet, with Charles Santley and Karl Formes, in London and on tour. In 1871 she was Isabella for Ernesto Nicolini's English debut, in Robert le Diable She also took part in Mapleson's tours in Dublin between 1872 and 1876 . After leaving Vienna in 1873, she performed in Hamburg, Berlin and Paris. In 1873-74, she toured United States. She also toured Russia, Australia and New Zealand, and for a period of time she lectured at the music conservatory in New York City.

ADELAIDE PHILLIPS (26 October 1833-3 October 1882) English Contralto Came to the United States with her family at the age of seven . When Jenny Lind appeared in Boston in 1850, Adelaide sang for her, and was advised to go to Europe. Pupil of Manuel García.Continued her studies in Italy, and made her début 1853 at Brescia, as Arsace in Semiramide. She sang also in Milan and other cities. Her stage name in Europe was Signorina Fillippi.In 1855 she returned to the US and appeared in Italian opera in Philadelphia and New York City. and travelled to Havana Cuba . In 1860 she made her first appearance in oratorio with the Handel and Haydn Society, Boston, in the Messiah. The following year she went abroad again, and appeared in Paris as Azucena in " Il Trovatore." After a professional tour in Europe she returned to the US. In 1864 she went again to Havana, and from that time until her death she appeared in opera, oratorio, and concerts the USn. She organised her own opera company "The Adelaide Phillipps Opera Company " in 1876, and in 1879 she joined the" Ideal Opera Company", remaining until 1881, when she made her last appearance on the stage in Cincinnati, Ohio.

SIGRID ARNOLDSON (20 March 1861 – 7 February 1943) Swedish Soprano Daughter of Oscar Arnoldson a noted tenor . Studied with her father and baritone Fritz Arlberg , Took further study in Paris . Debut in 1885 at the Prague National Theatre as Rosina in Rossini's "The Barber of Seville".London debut in 1887 in Rossini's "The Barber of Seville" at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane.Arnoldson's . Engaged in 1890 by the Max Strakosch for an American tour . Debut at the Metropolitan Opera in New York as Baucis in "Philémon et Baucis" in 1893. She toured Spain and Russia.Her other roles included Elsa Wagner's "Lohengrin", Nedda in " Pagliacci" ,Susanna in " The Marriage of Figaro", Papagena in "The Magic Flute", Oscar in "Un ballo in maschera", Marguerite de Valois in "Les Huguenots", and Sophie in "Werther" , also portrayed both Micaëla and Carmen in Bizet's "Carmen".By 1910 she was a member of the Royal Swedish Academy of Music. She retired from the stage in 1911, after which she taught singing in Vienna for over 25 years. She moved to Stockholm in 1938 where she continued to teach up until her death in 1943.

BLANCH BOIDIN-PUISAIS (Blanch Marie Estelle Rosalie Puisais) (14/7/1854 -????) French Mezzo Soprano Born Bordeaux France daughter of Sylvain and Estelle Puisais. Studied at the Conservatoire Nationale De Musique Paris .Married Charles Amable Boidin 1876 in Paris .Sang with Van Dyck as Brangaene "Tristan & Isolde" Wagner . Created The Countess "Gilles of Bretagne" Kowalski in 1878 Sang on the concert platform .