Her real name was Bernice James. She was born in Boston and is a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Practically all of her musical training was received in New York City where she became a pupil of Oscar Saenger. She made her debut in Milan (1900) as Gilda in ‘’Rigoletto’’. She married Italian tenor Pietro de Pasquali who put together his own opera troupe, which included his wife as principal soprano. They toured the United States. Her Metropolitan Opera debut (1909) came when she replaced an ill Marcella Sembrich as Susanna in a performance of ‘’Le Nozze di Figaro’’. She remained at that House until 1917 as a principal coloratura soprano. For a performance of ‘’Aida’’ (15 Jan 1910) she appeared as the Priestess under the pseudonym of Emma Laurier, a practice that singers applied when they chose not to have a billing. She sang for the Prince of Wales in Quebec in 1908, and appeared at the 1916 Pan American Exposition in San Diego. Her successes, however, are not limited to America as she has appeared in Mexico, Cuba, South Africa and Europe, in many places receiving great ovations. Her voice is a clear, high, flexible soprano, equally fine for concert or opera. Her husband, Signor Pasquali, made a lifetime study of the principles of the "Bel Canto" school of singing, and the following conference is the result of long experiment and study in the esthetic, philosophical and physiological factors in the most significant of the so-called methods of voice training. While working the Orpheum vaudville circuit in Omaha, Nebraska, she developed double pneumonia and died there 2 weeks later.
Chronology of some appearances
1906 Savona Teatro Chiabrera Barbiere di Siviglia (Rosina)
1906 Savona Teatro Chiabrera Linda di Chamonix (Linda)
1906 Livorno Teatro Goldoni Barbiere di Siviglia (Rosina)
1906 Vicenza Teatro Verdi Barbiere di Siviglia (Rosina)
1906 Vicenza Teatro Verdi Don Pasquale (Norina)
1906 Pisa Politeama Linda di Chamonix (Linda)
1906 Pisa Politeama Puritani (Elvira)
1906 Livorno Teatro Goldoni Puritani (Elvira)
1906 Modena Teatro Storchi Puritani (Elvira)
1906 Modena Teatro Storchi Traviata (Violetta)
1907 Bari Teatro Petruzzelli Puritani (Elvira)
1907 Alessandria Teatro Finzi Barbiere di Siviglia (Rosina)
1907 Nice Jetee Promenade Don Pasquale (Norina)
1907 Nice Jetee Promenade Puritani (Elvira)
1907 Nice Jetee Promenade Rigoletto (Gilda)
1907 Marsiglia Casinò de la Plague Puritani (Elvira)
1908 Città del Messico Teatro Virginia Fabregas Barbiere di Siviglia (Rosina)
1908 Città del Messico Teatro Virginia Fabregas Boheme (Mimi)
1908 Città del Messico Teatro Virginia Fabregas Rigoletto (Gilda)
1908 New York Teatro Metropolitan Carmen (Carmen)
1908 New York Teatro Metropolitan Traviata (Violetta)
1909 New York Academy of Music Barbiere di Siviglia (Rosina)
1909 Philadelphia Teatro Metropolitan Don Pasquale (Norina)
1909 Philadelphia Teatro Metropolitan Pagliacci (Nedda)
1909 New York Teatro Metropolitan Don Pasquale (Norina)
1910 New York Teatro Metropolitan Barbiere di Siviglia (Rosina)
1910 New York Teatro Metropolitan Don Pasquale (Norina)
1911 New York Teatro Metropolitan Pagliacci (Nedda)
1915 Havana Teatro Nacional Barbiere di Siviglia (Rosina)
1915 Havana Teatro Nacional Rigoletto (Gilda)
RECORDINGS FOR SALE
G&T, London 1902
Ruy Blas (Marchetti): Duo with Pietro de Pasquali 54010 2027b
Edison Bell cylinders, London
Within a mile o' Edinboro' Town (trad) 6673
Perle de Brazil (David): Thou brillant Bird A 5350
30875
Linda di Chamonix (Donizetti): O luce di quest anima 30880
A5350
O dolce contento (Dronet) A 5580 36811
Lo! here the gentle lark (Bishop) 36826 D17725
Lo! here the gentle lark (Bishop) 36826 D17725
Carmen (Bizet): I say to the dread that assails me 36911
D17725
Rigoletto (Verdi): Caro Nome A 5580 36973
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