Born Helen Russell Ulrich, Noldi is credited as having studied with Mathilde Marchesi. Her American debut was in Chicago, 1897, in concert at the Central Music Hall where she was cordially received, being recalled a number of times. Active in the early 1900s, Noldi appeared with her husband, baritone Achille Alberti, as a soloist with Victor Herberts Orchestra in 1905. Two years earlier they had appeared at the opening of The Columbia Club, 127th and 5th Avenue, New York, with violinist Michael Banner and orchestra directed by Gustav Hinrichs. The hall had been specially designed with acoustic properties in mind for musical entertainments. The result was regarded as a triumph. In opera, Noldi was first engaged by Sofia Scalchi for her touring company and then for Eugenia Mantellis troupe. She also appeared with the Castle Square Opera in Boston and in England,1910, under the baton of Henry Wood. She appeared at the Metropolitan Opera the season of 1905-06 as a replacement for Lillian Nordica as Leonora in ''Il Trovatore'' and on a Sunday Night Concert where she sang an unidentified selection, sharing the stage with violinist Henri Marteau, bass Pol Plançon, contralto Louise Homer and conductor Nathan Franko. She and her husband later taught in California.
Chronology of some appearances
1906 Metropolitan Opera Trovatore (Leonora)
1906 Metropolitan Opera Concert
RECORDINGS FOR SALE
Victor, 1907-11-14
Lustige Witwe (Lehár): Vilia song 31688 B4929
Victor, 1907-11-21
Stabat Mater (Rossini): Inflammatus 31694 C4943
Faust (Gounod): Jewel song 5356 B4945
Wonderful photos ! Thank you for posting !
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