She was trained by her father and by Mme
Labarra in Brussels
and first appeared as a concert singer. In 1896 she made her stage debut at the
Théâtre des Galéries in
Brussels . Since
1897 she sang at the Théâtre de la Monnaie in Brussels
with great success, especially in ‘’La Périchole’’ of Offenbach . In the 1901-1903 seasons she sang at
the Covent Garden in London .
In 1909 she was engaged by the Metropolitan Opera in New York (beginning role:
Lola in ‘’Cavalleria Rusticana’’); here she sang primarily the light
mezzo-soprano roles like the Siebel in ‘’Faust’’ by Gounod, Nicklausse in ‘’Les
Contes d'Hoffmann’’, Meg Page in ‘’Falstaff’’ of Verdi, Mlle Long in ‘’La fille
de Mme Angot’’ of Lecocq, Javotte in ‘’Manon’’ of Massenet and in 1914 the role
of Angella in the American première of Montemezzi’s ‘’Amore dei tre Re’’. In
1912 she appeared at the Metropolitan Opera in the American première of Wolf-Ferrari’s
‘’Le Donne curiose’’ under Toscanini as Beatrice. Under Arturo Toscanini she
sang in 1913 in the première of ‘’Boris Godunov’’ and in a glittering performance
of ‘’Otello’’ as a partner of Leo Slezak and Frances Alda in the part of Emilia.
In 1910 she sang in the première of Auber’s ‘’Fra Diavolo’’. In 1913 she took
part in the guest performance of the Metropolitan Opera in Paris . In the 1915-1916 she was engaged by the
Chicago Opera. Then she lived in Canada where she appeared with the
Canadian National Opera Company and gave concerts. Long years she worked as a vocal
pedagogue in Montreal .
Chronology of some appearances
1896 Brussels Théâtre des Galéries
1897 Brussels Théâtre de la Monnaie
1901-1903 London Covent Garden
1909 New York Metropolitan Opera
RECORDINGS FOR SALE
Edison, New York
Vogelhändler (Zeller): Air du rossignol 58013 9588
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Beautiful photos ! Thank you Sir Ashot !
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