Opera's Golden Age In Postcards

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

as Elsa in "Lohengrin" by Wagner Emma Eames 1865-1952 American Soprano Born in Shanghai, China.She attended school in Boston where she studied singing with Charles R. Adams.Later she took voice lessons in Paris Mathilde Marchesi. Eames made her professional operatic debut in Gounod's Roméo et Juliette at Palais Garnier Paris in 1889. Towards the end of 1891, debuted at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City in Juliette, . Eames made a number of successful appearances at London's Royal Opera House, Covent Garden. She sang there intermittently from 1891 to 1901 and established herself as a genuine rival to Covent Garden's reigning diva, Nellie Melba, . Eames also sang in Madrid and fulfilled lucrative singing engagements at Monaco's chic Monte Carlo Opera during the 1890s. In 1906, Eames visited San Francisco with a touring troupe of leading Met singers. Eames gave her farewell operatic performances during the 1911-12 seasons with the Boston opera company. She then undertook a series of concert tours of the United States

Felia Litvinne 1860-1937 Russian Soprano Studied in Paris with Mme Barth-Banderoli and then with Sbriglia and Viardot -Garcia.Debut at Theatre des Italians in 1883 as Amelia in Simon Boccanegra. Toured French provinces with Victor Maurel . 1886 went to New York appeared at the Academy of Music . Performed throughout Europe including St Petersburg , Moscow , Brussels and Paris Opera . . 1890 performed at La Scala milan as Gertrude in Amleto . In 1895 returned to the Metropolitan New York but was not well recived . She returned to Paris and Covent Garden . She retired from the Opera at the time of World War 1, but made occassional appearances in concert

Georgette Leblanc 1869-1941 French Soprano Studied music under Jules Massenet in Paris . Debut at the Opéra-Comique 1893 as Françoise in Alfred Bruneau's L'attaque du moulin. Returned to Opéra-Comique to sing the title role in Bizet's Carmen. In 1894 she joined the roster at the Théâtre de la Monnaie where she sang numerous parts for the next three seasons, including: Anita in La Navarraise and the title roles in both Massenet's Thaïs and Carmen once again.She remained active in opera in Paris, notably appearing as Fanny in Massenet’s Sapho at the Opéra-Comique in 1897.

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.

as Faust "Faust" Gounod LUCIEN MURATORE 1878-1954 French Tenor Studied at the Paris Music Conservatory, and made his operatic debut in 1902, at the Opéra-Comique opposite Emma Calve , creating the King in Reynaldo Hahn's La carmélite.Debut at La Monnaie in 1904, as Werther, and the following year at the Palais Garnier, as Renaud in Lully Created several Massenet operas such as Ariane and Bacchus, at the Opéra, and Roma, in Monte Carlo. He also took part in the creation of La Catalane by Le Borne, Monna Vanna by Henry Février, Déjanire by Camille Saint-Saëns, and Pénélope by Gabriel Fauré. He became principal French tenor with the Boston Opera Company, the Chicago Grand Opera Company (1913–1914), the Chicago Opera Association (1915–1921), and the Chicago Civic Opera (1922). He also appeared at the Teatro Colón in Buenos Aires. Muratore retired from the stage in 1931. Returned to Paris and was made Director of Opera Comique

as Faust "Faust" Gounod LUCIEN MURATORE 1878-1954 French Tenor Studied at the Paris Music Conservatory, and made his operatic debut in 1902, at the Opéra-Comique opposite Emma Calve , creating the King in Reynaldo Hahn's La carmélite.Debut at La Monnaie in 1904, as Werther, and the following year at the Palais Garnier, as Renaud in Lully Created several Massenet operas such as Ariane and Bacchus, at the Opéra, and Roma, in Monte Carlo. He also took part in the creation of La Catalane by Le Borne, Monna Vanna by Henry Février, Déjanire by Camille Saint-Saëns, and Pénélope by Gabriel Fauré. He became principal French tenor with the Boston Opera Company, the Chicago Grand Opera Company (1913–1914), the Chicago Opera Association (1915–1921), and the Chicago Civic Opera (1922). He also appeared at the Teatro Colón in Buenos Aires. Muratore retired from the stage in 1931. Returned to Paris and was made Director of Opera Comique

as Aphrodite Marthe Chenal 1881-1947 French Soprano Studied Conservatoire de Paris Martini. Debut in 1905 at the Palais Garnier as Brunehild in Ernest Reyer's Sigurd.Joined the roster of principal singers at the Opéra-Comique debut with the company in the title role of Camille Erlanger's Aphrodite.Appeared in several world premieres : Gabriel Pierné's On ne badine pas avec l'amour, Alfred Bruneau's Le Roi Candaule, and Erlanger's La sorcière , Camille Erlanger's Bacchus triomphant

Marthe Chenal 1881-1947 French Soprano Studied Conservatoire de Paris Martini. Debut in 1905 at the Palais Garnier as Brunehild in Ernest Reyer's Sigurd.Joined the roster of principal singers at the Opéra-Comique debut with the company in the title role of Camille Erlanger's Aphrodite.Appeared in several world premieres : Gabriel Pierné's On ne badine pas avec l'amour, Alfred Bruneau's Le Roi Candaule, and Erlanger's La sorcière , Camille Erlanger's Bacchus triomphant

Maria Labia as Carmen 'Carmen' Bizet Maria Labia 1880-1953 Italian Soprano Studied voice with her mother, Cecilia Labia .Debut in Stockholm in 1905 portraying the role of Mimì in Puccini's La bohème. Joined the Komische Oper Berlin where she sang numerous roles including the title role in Puccini's Tosca, the title role in Bizet's Carmen, Marta in Tiefland and the title role in Richard Strauss's Salome, among other roles. In 1908 she joined the Manhattan Opera Company in New York City Returned to Italy where she appeared with several theaters . She joined the roster at La Scala in 1912 and joined the Paris Opéra in 1913

Maria Labia 1880-1953 Italian Soprano Studied voice with her mother, Cecilia Labia .Debut in Stockholm in 1905 portraying the role of Mimì in Puccini's La bohème. Joined the Komische Oper Berlin where she sang numerous roles including the title role in Puccini's Tosca, the title role in Bizet's Carmen, Marta in Tiefland and the title role in Richard Strauss's Salome, among other roles. In 1908 she joined the Manhattan Opera Company in New York City Returned to Italy where she appeared with several theaters . She joined the roster at La Scala in 1912 and joined the Paris Opéra in 1913

Maria Labia as Carmen 'Carmen' Bizet Maria Labia 1880-1953 Italian Soprano Studied voice with her mother, Cecilia Labia .Debut in Stockholm in 1905 portraying the role of Mimì in Puccini's La bohème. Joined the Komische Oper Berlin where she sang numerous roles including the title role in Puccini's Tosca, the title role in Bizet's Carmen, Marta in Tiefland and the title role in Richard Strauss's Salome, among other roles. In 1908 she joined the Manhattan Opera Company in New York City Returned to Italy where she appeared with several theaters . She joined the roster at La Scala in 1912 and joined the Paris Opéra in 1913

BESSIE ABBOT ( Bessie PICKENS ) American soprano (1878 – February 09, 1919). Debut 10th October 1904 in Lakmé (Lakmé). Sang la Traviata (Violetta), Don Juan (Zerlina).

BESSIE ABBOT ( Bessie PICKENS ) American soprano (1878 – February 09, 1919). Debut 10th October 1904 in Lakmé (Lakmé). Sang la Traviata (Violetta), Don Juan (Zerlina).