Marthe Chenal (Soprano) (Paris 1881 - Paris 1947)

She nearly gave up pursuing an opera career after a series of discouraging events. Officials from the Paris Conservatory thought little of her talent, and after a few French provincial theaters turned her away she was prevailed upon to accept singing engagements at music halls and at the Moulin-Rouge. However, after further studies with Martini, in 1905 she was engaged at the Paris Opéra as the French Brunehilde in Reyer's Sigurd. Chenal quieted the critics and became immensely popular at the Opéra, the Opéra-Comique, the Gaîté-Lyrique, and the Monte Carlo Opera. She was involved in the premieres of several, ultimately obscure operas, including ‘’Le Miracle’’ (1910), ‘’Icare’’ (1911), ‘’La forêt sacree’’ (1916), ‘’Graziella’’ (1916), ‘’Jeanne d'Arc’’ (1917), and ‘’Intermède’’ (1919). Chenal was noted for her fine stage presence and acting, and her generous spirit.

Chronology of some appearances

1905 Paris Grand Opéra

1907 Rome Teatro Costanzi

RECORDINGS FOR SALE

Pathé, Paris 1915?

Werther (Massenet): Air des larmes 1869 0049

Carmen (Bizet): Habanera 1871 0049

Ave Maria (Gounod) 1966 0051

Le chant du départ (Méhul) with chorus  2314 0052

La Marseillaise (de l'Isle) with chorus 2319 0052

Tosca (Puccini): D'art et d'amour 1941 0051