19TH CENTURY OPERA SINGERS

As Loge "Das Rheingold" by Wagner Heinrich Hensel 29 Oct 1874 - 23 Feb 1935 German Tenor His voice was discovered by the conductor Felix Mottl and he studied in Vienna under Gustav Walter and Frankfurt with Eduard Bellwidt and made his début at Freiburg in 1897 , as Breisgau in ‘’Alessandro Stradella’’ by. von Flotow. remaining a member of the ensemble there until 1900. After engagements at Frankfurt, where he created the Prince in Humperdinck’s Dornröschen (1902),He became the leading Heldentenor at the Hamburg Opera (1912–29).He was chosen by Sigfried Wagner to create Banadietrich at Karlsruhe in 1910 and to sing Parsifal and Loge at Bayreuth 1911-1912.He visted the US and sang Siegmund, Siegfried and Lohengrin at the Metropolitan and Chicago opera also appearances at Covent Garden London singing Wagner roles. He performed at Bayreuth, Amsterdam, Berlin, Brüssel, Chicago, Frankfurt/Main, Freiburg/Breisgau, Hamburg, Hannover, Karlsruhe Later he worked as vocal pedagogue in Hamburg. He was married to the dramatic soprano Elsa Hensel-Schweitzer (1871-1937).

Marie Heilbronn as Manon & Jean Alexandre Talazac as Des Grieux In “'Manon" by Massenet CREATOR’S PARIS OPERA COMIQUE 1884 MARIE HEILBRONN ( 1851- 31 March 1886). Belgian soprano. She studied in Paris and made her début in 1867 at the Opéra-Comique, as Alice in the first performance of Jules Massenet's "La grand’tante". In 1870 she appeared at La Monnaie as Violetta, the role of her début at Covent Garden in 1874, and in 1878 at the Théâtre Ventadour as Juliet in Victor Capoul's "Les amants". She returned in 1879 as Ophelia (Hamlet). The same year she appeared at the Paris Opéra as Marguerite and in 1880 she sang Zerlina and Ophelia there. At Monte Carlo in 1883 she sang Susanna, Philine (Mignon), Marguerite, Victor Massé's Galatea and Rose in Aimé Maillart's Dragons de Villars. In 1884 she created the title role of Massenet's "Manon" at the Opéra-Comique. Jean Alexandre Talazac May 16, 1853 - December 26, 1892 FrenchTenor Debut April 28, 1878 Lae Statue (Selim). He sang in 1879 at the premiere of the Magic Flute (Tamino) by Mozart, and la Traviata in 1886 (Rodolphe). He created in 1880 Jean de Nivelles (Jean) by Léo Delibes, 1881 les Contes d'Hoffmann (Hoffmann) by Jacques Offenbach, in 1883 Lakmé (Gérald) by Léo Delibes, January 19, 1884 Manon (Des Grieux) by Jules Massenet, in 1888 the Roi D'ys (Mylio)d'Edouard Lalo (Joseph) Romeo and Juliet (Romeo),Richard Cœur de Lion (Richard).

Ulysse Alexandre Toussaint, (Ulysses Duwast or Wast) March 30, 1839- February 4, 1919. French Tenor Studied Paris with Gilbert Duprez . Early in his operatic he appeared in concerts from 1861 after his release from military service. He was first tenor in the theater of Mulhouse in November 1863 , in March 1864 he was at the theater Colmar 1864 and early 1865 at Mons in Belgium and by mid-1865 he was at Dieppe. At the end of 1865 he was in Paris appearing as Lyonnel in “Joan of Arc “ by Gilbert Duprez. which launched his career in Paris , He made his debut at the Imperial Theatre in 1866 in the role of Faust in ‘Faust” by Gounod. Sang in Toulon November to March 1866, 1867 at Nice until June and sang at Brussels La Monnaie theater September 1867 for a temporary replacement of Jourdan. He was engaged at the Royal Theatre in Antwerp for the season 1867 to 1868. In Lille from mid-December 1868 to late April 1869 and in Toulouse in October 1869 to May 1870. He participated in the reopening of the Theatre Lyrique in Athénée in September 1870 and sang Lionel in “Marta” by Flowtow .He sang the season at the Grand Théâtre de Bordeaux in 1874-1875 .He went to Opera Comique from August 1876 to late June 1877. In Antwerp for the entire season from 1879 to 1880 Opera season 1883-1884 in Saint-Etienne. In October 1885 began teaching at the school of his friend Leon Duprez

Reverse autographed 1868

as Paul & Virginie in "Paul et Virginie" by Masse ......... Capoul CREATOR role l’Opéra-National-Lyrique 15 th November 1876 VICTOR CAPOUL (27 February 1839 – 18 February 1924) French Tenor He began his studies in 1859 at the Conservatoire of Paris . He debuted in 1861 at the Opéra-Comique Paris as Daniel in 'Le chalet' of Adam. By 1870, he remained at the Opéra-Comique as principal tenor until the outbreak of the Franco-Prussian war in 1870 .during which he sought asylum in England , There he joined the Mapelson Company at Drury Lane , making his debut as Faust in Gounod's "'Faust " then 1871-75 at the Italian Opera London At London he appeared at Covent Garden for the first time in 1877 , as Fra Diavolo . Lionel 'Marta" , Faust , Elvino ,and Ernesto.With Mapelson he went to the USA where he was regular visitor until 1884 , again at the New York Metropolitan Opera 1891-1892 ; He made his debut there as Gounod's Faust and sang seven roles: the Edgardo in "Lucia di Lammermoor ', in Wilhelm Meister' Mignon 'of A.Thomas, Count Almaviva in" The Barber of Sevbilla', the Alfredo in "La Traviata 'Tybalt in' Romeo et Juliette 'by Gounod, the Enzo in "La Gioconda" by Ponchielli and worked among others in 1891 in the Metropolitan premiere of Verdi's' Othello' as Cassio with. In the years 1892-97 he lived as a singing teacher in New York; then he became a director of the Grand Opera of Paris. In 1905 he gave up this activity. MARIE HEILBRONN ( 1851- 31 March 1886). Belgian soprano. She studied in Paris and made her début in 1867 at the Opéra-Comique, as Alice in the first performance of Jules Massenet's "La grand’tante". In 1870 she appeared at La Monnaie as Violetta, the role of her début at Covent Garden in 1874, and in 1878 at the Théâtre Ventadour as Juliet in Victor Capoul's "Les amants". She returned in 1879 as Ophelia (Hamlet). The same year she appeared at the Paris Opéra as Marguerite and in 1880 she sang Zerlina and Ophelia there. At Monte Carlo in 1883 she sang Susanna, Philine (Mignon), Marguerite, Victor Massé's Galatea and Rose in Aimé Maillart's Dragons de Villars. In 1884 she created the title role of Massenet's "Manon" at the Opéra-Comique.

Monsieur Martyn (Martin) Baritone Opera Comique

Monsieur Martyn (Martin) Baritone Opera Comique

PAULINE LAUTERS GUEYMARD Mezzo-soprano (Brussels, 01 December 1834)-. She sang at the Théâtre-Lyrique under the name of Ms. DELIGNE-LAUTERS. She debuted at the Opera on 12 January 1857 in IL TROVATORE (Azucena). She sang the sorceress in 1858. She created in 1859 HERCULANEUM (rie) of Félicien David; in 1859 ROMEO and Juliet (Juliet) by Bellini; in 1860 PIERRE DE MEDICI (Laura) of Prince Poniatowski. She then sang salle Le Peletier, where she sang for the first time on April 08, 1861 in LES HUGUENOTS (Valentine). She created in 1862 the Queen of Sheba (Balkis) of Gounod; in 1863 the MULE of PEDRO (Gilda) by Victor Massé; in 1864 ROLAND has RONCESVALLES (Alde) of Mermet; on March 11, 1867 DON CARLOS (Eboli) by Verdi; May 09, 1868 HAMLET (Queen) of Ambroise Thomas. January 10, 1873 the cup of the King of THULE (Myrrha) of Eugène Diaz of the Peña. It was the interpreter of IL TROVATORE (Leonora), ERCOLANO (Olympus) and ALCESTE (Alceste). At the Palais Garnier, it was displayed in LES HUGUENOTS (Valentine), LA FAVORITE (Leonor), DON JUAN (Elvire) and the Prophet (Fides).

VICTOR PRILLEUX 1814-1876 French bass. Member of the Opéra-Comique he sang at many premières. de ; “Le diable au Moulin “ by Gevaert (1859) as Bonieface. was specially dedicated to Prilleux by the composer.

Mademoiselle MONROSE (Eugénie Chollet ) 1819-1893 French Soprano She studied voice with Gilbert Duprez Her debut at the Opéra-Comique was on 24 September 1859 in Ambroise Thomas's Le songe d'une nuit d'été (with Giacomo Meyerbeer in the audience), and she created the role of La Marquise de Villa-Bianca in Thomas's Le roman d'Elvire, premiered on 4 February 1860 by the Opéra-Comique at the second Salle Favart in Paris. She also sang Dinorah in a revival of Giacomo Meyerbeer's Le pardon de Ploërmel, Another creation was Olga in Daniel Auber's La circassienne, premiered on 2 February 1861 by the Opéra-Comique at the second Salle Favart, Another role was La Marquise de Richmond in the Opéra-Comique's revival of Albert Grisar's Le joaillier de Saint-James on 17 February 1862. She also created the role of Héro in Hector Berlioz's Béatrice et Bénédict on 9 August 1862 at the Theater der Stadt, Baden-Baden . She was later associated with the Théâtre du Parc in Brussels and the Théâtre des Galeries, Brussels. She retired from singing c. 1880, receiving a pension of 500 francs in 1883 (at age 65).

Zelo Duran (Zeloide Durand) Soprano Married to the painter Hugues. She was member of the troupe lyrique du Château-d'Eau when she was engaged for three years to the Opera Comique in July 1881 by Leoncarvalho where she created on the 28 December, 1881 Tilby in “Les Pantins” by Georges Hue . She was singing at Folie Dramatiques Paris by 1890.Creating Petrita in “Juanita” by Franz von Suppe on 4 April 1891 , Hermine in “La fille de Fanchon la Vielleuse” by Louis Varney on 3 November 1891 and Tusini in “La Cocarde Tricolore” by Robert Planquette on 12 February 1892

as Count de Nevers in "Les Huguenots" by Meyerbeer JEAN-LOUIS LASALLE -Baritone (.Lyon, December 10, 1845 or 14 February 1847 - September 07, 1909). 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 1183 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.

Henrie Sellier as Paulo & Caroline Salla as Francesca in "Francoise di Rimini" Thomas CREATOR ROLES CAROLINE SALLA (Caroline Louise de Septavaux ) 1852- ??? French Soprano Daughter of a former Secretary of GuizotIn 1874-1875 she had an engagement at the Monnaie Opera in Brussels, in 1876 at the Théâtre Gaîté in Paris and in 1877 she was engaged by the Mapleson Opera Company and performed e.g. in Dublin. In 1877 she created the rôle of Hélène in “Le timbre d’argent” by Saint-Saëns. In 1878 she was heard at the Hofoper in Vienna and in 1882 she made her debut at the Grand Opera Paris creating the role of Francesca in the première of “Françoise de Rimini” by Ambroise Thomas. In 1886 she sang at the Opéra-Comique where in 1887 she created the rôle of Proserpine in the première of the eponymous opera by Saint-Saëns. Around the year 1890 she retired from the stage because of her marriage HENRY SELLIER (François Alfred Alexander Sellier) (26 March 1849 - 26 June 1899). As a young man of very poor ancestry he came to Paris looking for work. When he worked as an errand boy for a merchant his voice was discovered and with financial help he was able to study at the Conservatoire National de Paris. In 1876 he finished his vocal studies by winning the "Prix du Conservatoire". After that he was immediately engaged by the Grand-Opéra, where in 1878 he made his debut as Arnold in Rossini's "Guillaume Tell". Here he created the role of Manoël at the première in Gounod's "Le Tribut de Zamora" (1881) and the role of Paolo at the première of "Françoise de Rimini" by Ambroise Thomas (1882). He was widely admired for the balanced beauty of his tenor voice and the dramatic force of his performance. After a hunting accident he ended his career at the Grand-Opéra in 1888. The season 1889/90 he was engaged at Brussels at "The Théâtre de la Monnaie" , where he created the role of Mathô at the première of Ernest Reyer's opera "Salammbô". The season 1890/91 he was engaged at the Opéra of Marseille and the following years he was engaged by various French provincial theaters.

Ben Davies 1858-1943 Welsh Tenor Studied at Royal Academy of Music with Alberto Randegger and Signor Fiori.Debut 1881 as Thaddeus in “The Bohemian Girlf” by Balfe .Created Gringaire in “Esmerelda” by Goring-Thomas at Drury lane 1883 ,Martin Bolder in “”Doris” by Cellier and Ralph Rodney in “The Red Hussar” by Solomon 1889 , Ivanhoe in “Ivanhoe” by Sullivan in 1891 at the Palace theatre. .He appeared in the Premiere of “Signa” by Cowan.He made a Covent Garden debut as Faust in “Faust” by Gounod in 1892 .After 1893 his career moved largely into the concert platform .He sang oratorio at Music Festivals around Britain and made tours of Australia and USA.

as Anna in "La Villi" by Puccini FRANCES ALDA (Fanny Jane Davis) (31 May 1879– 18 September 1952 ) 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.

as Elizabeth in "Tannhauser" by Wagner Dame NELLIE MELBA GBE (Helen Porter Mitchell) (19 May 1861 – 23 February 1931), Australian Soprano Melba was taught to play the piano and first sang in public around age six.She was educated at a local boarding school and then at the Presbyterian Ladies' College. She studied singing with Mary Ellen Christian (a former pupil of Manuel García) and Pietro Cecchi, an Italian tenor, who was a respected teacher in Melbourne. In her teens, Melba continued to perform in amateur concerts in and around Melbourne, and she played the organ at church. Making her professional debut in Melbourne concerts in 1884. On the strength of local success, she travelled to London in search of an opportunity.Her debut at the Princes' Hall in 1886 made little impression, and she sought work unsuccessfully from Sir Arthur Sullivan, Carl Rosa and Augustus Harris.She then went to Paris to study with the leading teacher Mathilde Marchesi, who instantly recognised the young singer's potential: Melba made such rapid progress that she was allowed to sing the "Mad Scene" from Ambroise Thomas's Hamlet at a matinée musicale in Marchesi's house in December the same year, in the presence of the composer.Her talent was so evident that, after less than a year with Marchesi, the impresario Maurice Strakosch gave her a ten-year contract at 1000 francs annually. After she had signed, she received a far better offer of 3000 francs per month from the Théâtre de la Monnaie, Brussels, but Strakosch would not release her and obtained an injunction preventing her from performing .The matter was resolved by Strakosch's sudden death.She made her operatic debut four days later as Gilda in Rigoletto at La Monnaie on 12 October 1887.. It was at this time, on Marchesi's advice, that she adopted the stage name of "Melba", a contraction of the name of her home city.Her Covent Garden début in May 1888, in the title role in Lucia di Lammermoor. She received a friendly but not excited reception The following year, she performed at the Opéra in Paris, in the role of Ophélie in Hamlet; She travelled across Europe to St Petersburg to sing for Tsar Nicholas II: and sang in Paris, Brussels, Vienna , Milan, and Berlin Melba sang the role of Nedda in Pagliacci at Covent Garden in 1893, soon after its Italian premiere. The composer was present, and said that the role had never been so well played before.[19] In December of that year, Melba sang at the Metropolitan Opera in New York for the first time. As at her Covent Garden debut, she appeared as Lucia di Lammermoor, Her Roles included mostly in the lyric soprano repertoire, but with some heavier roles also. She sang the title roles in Herman Bemberg's Elaine and Arthur Goring Thomas's Esmeralda. Her Italian parts included Gilda in Rigoletto, the title role in Aida Desdemona in Otello, Luisa in Mascagni's I Rantzau, Nedda in Pagliacci, Rosina in The Barber of Seville, Violetta in La traviata, and Mimi in La bohème. In the French repertoire, she sang Juliette in Roméo et Juliette, Marguerite in Faust, Marguerite de Valois in Les Huguenots, the title role in Saint-Saëns's Hélène, which was written for her, and Micaëla in Carmen.

EMMA ALBANI (1 November 1847 – 3 April 1930) Canadian soprano (Marie Louise Cecilia Emma Lajeunesse.) Vocal studies in Europe, and she became a student of Gilbert Louis Duprez in Paris, then by Francesco Lamperti in Milan. Debut in 1870 at the Opera House of Messina as Amina in 'La Sonnambula'. Covent Garden début 1872. First Covent Garden Senta (Der fliegende Holländer), 1877. NY Met début 1891; first Desdemona at NY Met 1894. Sang Isolde, Covent Garden 1896, retiring from stage a month later, but continuing to sing in oratorio. Retired to teach in 1911. DBE 1925.

as Violetta in "La Traviata" by Verdi Dame NELLIE MELBA GBE (Helen Porter Mitchell) (19 May 1861 – 23 February 1931), Australian Soprano Melba was taught to play the piano and first sang in public around age six.She was educated at a local boarding school and then at the Presbyterian Ladies' College. She studied singing with Mary Ellen Christian (a former pupil of Manuel García) and Pietro Cecchi, an Italian tenor, who was a respected teacher in Melbourne. In her teens, Melba continued to perform in amateur concerts in and around Melbourne, and she played the organ at church. Making her professional debut in Melbourne concerts in 1884. On the strength of local success, she travelled to London in search of an opportunity.Her debut at the Princes' Hall in 1886 made little impression, and she sought work unsuccessfully from Sir Arthur Sullivan, Carl Rosa and Augustus Harris.She then went to Paris to study with the leading teacher Mathilde Marchesi, who instantly recognised the young singer's potential: Melba made such rapid progress that she was allowed to sing the "Mad Scene" from Ambroise Thomas's Hamlet at a matinée musicale in Marchesi's house in December the same year, in the presence of the composer.Her talent was so evident that, after less than a year with Marchesi, the impresario Maurice Strakosch gave her a ten-year contract at 1000 francs annually. After she had signed, she received a far better offer of 3000 francs per month from the Théâtre de la Monnaie, Brussels, but Strakosch would not release her and obtained an injunction preventing her from performing .The matter was resolved by Strakosch's sudden death.She made her operatic debut four days later as Gilda in Rigoletto at La Monnaie on 12 October 1887.. It was at this time, on Marchesi's advice, that she adopted the stage name of "Melba", a contraction of the name of her home city.Her Covent Garden début in May 1888, in the title role in Lucia di Lammermoor. She received a friendly but not excited reception The following year, she performed at the Opéra in Paris, in the role of Ophélie in Hamlet; She travelled across Europe to St Petersburg to sing for Tsar Nicholas II: and sang in Paris, Brussels, Vienna , Milan, and Berlin Melba sang the role of Nedda in Pagliacci at Covent Garden in 1893, soon after its Italian premiere. The composer was present, and said that the role had never been so well played before.[19] In December of that year, Melba sang at the Metropolitan Opera in New York for the first time. As at her Covent Garden debut, she appeared as Lucia di Lammermoor, Her Roles included mostly in the lyric soprano repertoire, but with some heavier roles also. She sang the title roles in Herman Bemberg's Elaine and Arthur Goring Thomas's Esmeralda. Her Italian parts included Gilda in Rigoletto, the title role in Aida Desdemona in Otello, Luisa in Mascagni's I Rantzau, Nedda in Pagliacci, Rosina in The Barber of Seville, Violetta in La traviata, and Mimi in La bohème. In the French repertoire, she sang Juliette in Roméo et Juliette, Marguerite in Faust, Marguerite de Valois in Les Huguenots, the title role in Saint-Saëns's Hélène, which was written for her, and Micaëla in Carmen.