Elisabeth Frandin by Rossi

Elisabeth (Elisa) Frandin (1859-1911); Finnish soprano who created the role of Malika in the opera "Lakmé" by Delibes. She began her vocal studies in Finland and continued them in Paris at the Conservatoire National. In 1882 she made her debut at the Opéra-Comique as Rose Friquet in Mailart's "Les Dragons de Villars". In 1883 she created the role of Malika in the opera "Lakmé" by Delibes, with Marie van Zandt as Lakmé. They were the first to sing the beautiful Flower Duet "Viens, Malika ….Dôme épais le jasmin". After the Opéra-Comique she performed in Paris at the Théâtre Folies-Dramatiques. In the following years she devoted herself to numerous guest appearances in Italy, Spain and Germany. In 1897 she created the role of Mimi in the première of Leoncavallo's "La Boheme" at the Teatro Fenice in Venice.