19th century opera singers

Etelka Gerster (1855-1920); Hungarian soprano. She received her vocal training from the famous Mathilde Marchesi de Castrone at the Vienna Conservatory. In 1876 she made her debut at the Teatro Fenice in Venice as Gilda in Verdi's "Rigoletto". In he season 1876/77 she had her first successes at Marseille and Genua. In 1877 she was at Berlin with an Italian Opera company that brought forth much sensation at the Berliner Kroll-Oper. Her older sister the soprano Bertha Krause-Gerster (1852-1885) was also a member of this company. She then married the impresario Carlo Gardini (1833-1910). In 1877 she came to London and was so successful as Amina in Bellini's "La Sonnambula", that in the following years and towards the end of her career in 1890, she returned many times to London (Her Majesty's Theatre and Covent Garden) to give glittering performances. During the years 1878/87 she performed mainly in North America with the Mapleson Opera Company, that undertook extensive tours through the USA. There was a great rivalry between Etelka Gerster and Adelina Patti and the American public took fully part in this battle. Gerster lost her voice soon after her first child was born. In 1889 she returned to Berlin and opened a singing school, which gained general acceptance and where she taught until 1917. One of her pupils was the Dutch contralto Julia Culp (1880-1970). On the photo she is seen as Marguerite in Gounod's "Faust".

Emma Abbott (1850-1891); American soprano. As a child she and her brother George studied singing, piano, guitar and violin with their father. Because of the financial problems of their parents she and her brother began performing professionally when she was nine years old. In 1859 she made her debut as a guitar player and singer in Peoria (Illinois) with George on the violin, In 1866 she joined an itinerant concert troup and toured the country. While performing on the road she met and was befriended by the opera soprano Clara Louise Kellogg. Upon hearing Abbott in a concert in Toledo, Kellogg made it a point to meet her and encourage her to pursue an opera career and gave her a letter of introduction. Consequently Abbott studied in New York City under Achille Errani and made her concert debut there in December 1871. In 1872 she went abroad to study with Antonio Sangiovanni in Milan. This was followed by further studies with Mathilde Marchesi, Pierre François Wartel and Enrico Delle Sedie in Paris. She appeared in several productions in Paris. In 1876 she was engaged by Covent Garden and debuted as Marie in "La fille du Régiment". Her contract was cancelled shortly thereafter when she refused to sing Violetta from Verdi's "La Traviata" on moral grounds. That same year she secretly married Eugene Wetherell and they returned to the United States, where she remained for the rest of her life. In 1877 she made her American operatic debut in New York, once again portraying Marie in "La fille du Régiment".. In 1878 she and her husband organized an opera company known by her name (the Abbott English Opera Company), which toured extensively throughout the United States. It was the first opera company formed by a woman in the USA. Her husband ran the business end of the company and she managed the artistic side. The company garnered a reputation among the public for quality productions and was quite successful. Throughout her career, she retained artistic control over her troupe. Although the company's repertoire included works from the French, Italian and English operatic literatures, they always performed in English. Many of the works were abridged and interpolated songs were commonplace. For this reason the company and Abbott were not popular with many music critics who were unhappy with the changes to the standard repertoire. However, the company was incredibly popular with the public and was consistently financially successful. Abbott herself became known among Americans as "the people's prima donna".

Emma Albani, born Marie-Louise-Emma-Cécile Lajeunesse (1847-1930); Canadian soprano. She was born in Chambly (Canada) but in 1865 the family moved to Albany/New-York. When she in 1870 made her European debut at Messina in Bellini’s “La Somnambula” she used the surname “Albani” (dereived from Albany). In Europe she studied singing with Gilbert-Louis Duprez in Paris and with Francesco Lamperti in Milan. In 1872 she made her London debut at Covent Garden, also as Amina in “La Somnambula”. The year after she sang in Paris at the Théâtre-Italien. She had an important international career; she performed at St. Petersburg, Moscow, Berlin, Brussels, Milan etc. In 1878 she married Ernest Gye (son of Frederick Gye who was director of Covent Garden from 1849-1877). In 1891 she made her debut at the Metropolitan Opera in New-York as Valentine in “Les Huguenots”. She retired from the stage in 1896. In 1911 she published her memoires in the book “Forty years of song”.

Emma Albani, born Marie-Louise-Emma-Cécile Lajeunesse (1847-1930); Canadian soprano. She was born in Chambly (Canada) but in 1865 the family moved to Albany/New-York. When she in 1870 made her European debut at Messina in Bellini’s “La Somnambula” she used the surname “Albani” (dereived from Albany). In Europe she studied singing with Gilbert-Louis Duprez in Paris and with Francesco Lamperti in Milan. In 1872 she made her London debut at Covent Garden, also as Amina in “La Somnambula”. The year after she sang in Paris at the Théâtre-Italien. She had an important international career; she performed at St. Petersburg, Moscow, Berlin, Brussels, Milan etc. In 1878 she married Ernest Gye (son of Frederick Gye who was director of Covent Garden from 1849-1877). In 1891 she made her debut at the Metropolitan Opera in New-York as Valentine in “Les Huguenots”. She retired from the stage in 1896. In 1911 she published her memoires in the book “Forty years of song”.

Emma Albani, born Marie-Louise-Emma-Cécile Lajeunesse (1847-1930); Canadian soprano. She was born in Chambly (Canada) but in 1865 the family moved to Albany/New-York. When she in 1870 made her European debut at Messina in Bellini’s “La Somnambula” she used the surname “Albani” (dereived from Albany). In Europe she studied singing with Gilbert-Louis Duprez in Paris and with Francesco Lamperti in Milan. In 1872 she made her London debut at Covent Garden, also as Amina in “La Somnambula”. The year after she sang in Paris at the Théâtre-Italien. She had an important international career; she performed at St. Petersburg, Moscow, Berlin, Brussels, Milan etc. In 1878 she married Ernest Gye (son of Frederick Gye who was director of Covent Garden from 1849-1877). In 1891 she made her debut at the Metropolitan Opera in New-York as Valentine in “Les Huguenots”. She retired from the stage in 1896. In 1911 she published her memoires in the book “Forty years of song”. On the photo she is seen as Marguerite in Gounod's "Faust".

Emma Albani, born Marie-Louise-Emma-Cécile Lajeunesse (1847-1930); Canadian soprano. She was born in Chambly (Canada) but in 1865 the family moved to Albany/New-York. When she in 1870 made her European debut at Messina in Bellini’s “La Somnambula” she used the surname “Albani” (dereived from Albany). In Europe she studied singing with Gilbert-Louis Duprez in Paris and with Francesco Lamperti in Milan. In 1872 she made her London debut at Covent Garden, also as Amina in “La Somnambula”. The year after she sang in Paris at the Théâtre-Italien. She had an important international career; she performed at St. Petersburg, Moscow, Berlin, Brussels, Milan etc. In 1878 she married Ernest Gye (son of Frederick Gye who was director of Covent Garden from 1849-1877). In 1891 she made her debut at the Metropolitan Opera in New-York as Valentine in “Les Huguenots”. She retired from the stage in 1896. In 1911 she published her memoires in the book “Forty years of song”.

Emma Albani, born Marie-Louise-Emma-Cécile Lajeunesse (1847-1930); Canadian soprano. She was born in Chambly (Canada) but in 1865 the family moved to Albany/New-York. When she in 1870 made her European debut at Messina in Bellini’s “La Somnambula” she used the surname “Albani” (dereived from Albany). In Europe she studied singing with Gilbert-Louis Duprez in Paris and with Francesco Lamperti in Milan. In 1872 she made her London debut at Covent Garden, also as Amina in “La Somnambula”. The year after she sang in Paris at the Théâtre-Italien. She had an important international career; she performed at St. Petersburg, Moscow, Berlin, Brussels, Milan etc. In 1878 she married Ernest Gye (son of Frederick Gye who was director of Covent Garden from 1849-1877). In 1891 she made her debut at the Metropolitan Opera in New-York as Valentine in “Les Huguenots”. She retired from the stage in 1896. In 1911 she published her memoires in the book “Forty years of song”.

Italo Campanini (1845-1896); Italian tenor. He made his debut in 1863 as Oloferno Vitellozzo in “Lucrezia Borgia”. From 1864-1867 he sang at the Odessa Opera and the season 1870-1871 at the Scala in Milan. In the 1870s he often performed in London but also made guest appearances in Madrid, Lisbon, Vienna , Barcelona, St. Petersburg and Moscow. In 1873 he sang Radames in the American première of “Aïda” at the Academy of Music in New-York; in 1878 he sang Don José in the American première of “Carmen” with Minnie Hauk as Carmen. In 1883 he sang at the opening performance of the New-York Metropolitan Opera the role of Faust with Christine Nilsson as Marguerite. He was the brother of the conductor Cleofonte Campanini. On the photo he is seen as Don José in Bizet's "Carmen".

Joseph-Amédée-Victor Capoul (1839-1924); French tenor. He made his debut in 1861 in Adam's "Le Calet" at the Opéra-Comique where he stayed until 1870. From 1870 to 1879 he performed in London at the Italian Opera and at Covent garden. He sang at various premières:in Massenet's "La Grand'Tante" (1867), in Auber's "Le premier jour de bonheur" (1868), in Offenbach's "Vert-Vert" (1869) and the title-role in Massé's "Paul et Virginie" (1876). His only gramophone-recording is “La berceuse de Jocelyn” (1905). On the photo he is seen as ................

Joseph-Amédée-Victor Capoul (1839-1924); French tenor. He made his debut in 1861 in Adam's "Le Calet" at the Opéra-Comique where he stayed until 1870. From 1870 to 1879 he performed in London at the Italian Opera and at Covent garden. He sang at various premières:in Massenet's "La Grand'Tante" (1867), in Auber's "Le premier jour de bonheur" (1868), in Offenbach's "Vert-Vert" (1869) and the title-role in Massé's "Paul et Virginie" (1876). His only gramophone-recording is “La berceuse de Jocelyn” (1905). Marie Heilbronn (1851-1886); Belgian soprano. She made her debut in 1867 at the Opéra-Comique Paris in the première of Massenet's first opera "La Grand'Tante". She created the role of Bibletto in Offenbach's "Les braconniers" (1873), Violetta Tiepolo in Salvayre's "Le Bravo", the title-role in Massenet's "Manon"(1884) and Cléopâtre in Massé's "Une nuit de Cléopâtre" (1885). On the photo Victor Capoul is seen as Paul and Marie Heilbronn as Virginie in Massé's "Paul et Virginie". Victor Capoul created this role with Cécile Ritter as Virginie, who was later replaced by Marie Heilbronn.

Minnie Hauk, born Amalia Mignon Hauck (1851-1929); American soprano. At the age of 10 she already performed in a concert. She made her New York debut in 1866 as Amina in Bellini's "La Somnambula". In 1868 she went to Europe and sang in London (Covent Garden) and Bruxelles. In 1869 she made her debut in Paris and during the next years she performed throughout Europe including Moscow and St. Petersburg. She even went as far as China and Japan. She toured through the U.S. with her own "Minnie Hauk's Concert and Opera Company". In 1925 she published her lifestory in "Memories of a singer".

Minnie Hauk, born Amalia Mignon Hauck (1851-1929); American soprano. At the age of 10 she already performed in a concert. She made her New York debut in 1866 as Amina in Bellini's "La Somnambula". In 1868 she went to Europe and sang in London (Covent Garden) and Bruxelles. In 1869 she made her debut in Paris and during the next years she performed throughout Europe including Moscow and St. Petersburg. She even went as far as China and Japan. She toured through the U.S. with her own "Minnie Hauk's Concert and Opera Company". In 1925 she published her lifestory in "Memories of a singer".

Minnie Hauk, born Amalia Mignon Hauck (1851-1929); American soprano. At the age of 10 she already performed in a concert. She made her New York debut in 1866 as Amina in Bellini's "La Somnambula". In 1868 she went to Europe and sang in London (Covent Garden) and Bruxelles. In 1869 she made her debut in Paris and during the next years she performed throughout Europe including Moscow and St. Petersburg. She even went as far as China and Japan. She toured through the U.S. with her own "Minnie Hauk's Concert and Opera Company". In 1925 she published her lifestory in "Memories of a singer".

Minnie Hauk, born Amalia Mignon Hauck (1851-1929); American soprano. At the age of 10 she already performed in a concert. She made her New York debut in 1866 as Amina in Bellini's "La Somnambula". In 1868 she went to Europe and sang in London (Covent Garden) and Bruxelles. In 1869 she made her debut in Paris and during the next years she performed throughout Europe including Moscow and St. Petersburg. She even went as far as China and Japan. She toured through the U.S. with her own "Minnie Hauk's Concert and Opera Company". In 1925 she published her lifestory in "Memories of a singer". On the photo she is seen as Marguerite in Gounod's "Faust".

Minnie Hauk, born Amalia Mignon Hauck (1851-1929); American soprano. At the age of 10 she already performed in a concert. She made her New York debut in 1866 as Amina in Bellini's "La Somnambula". In 1868 she went to Europe and sang in London (Covent Garden) and Bruxelles. In 1869 she made her debut in Paris and during the next years she performed throughout Europe including Moscow and St. Petersburg. She even went as far as China and Japan. She toured through the U.S. with her own "Minnie Hauk's Concert and Opera Company". In 1925 she published her lifestory in "Memories of a singer". On the photo she is seen in the title role of Bizet's "Carmen".

Minnie Hauk, born Amalia Mignon Hauck (1851-1929); American soprano. At the age of 10 she already performed in a concert. She made her New York debut in 1866 as Amina in Bellini's "La Somnambula". In 1868 she went to Europe and sang in London (Covent Garden) and Bruxelles. In 1869 she made her debut in Paris and during the next years she performed throughout Europe including Moscow and St. Petersburg. She even went as far as China and Japan. She toured through the U.S. with her own "Minnie Hauk's Concert and Opera Company". In 1925 she published her lifestory in "Memories of a singer". On the photo she is seen as Marguerite in Gounod's "Faust".

Marie Rôze, born Marie Hippolyte Ponsin (1846-1926); French soprano. She studied singing at the Conservatoire National de Paris with Mocker and Auber. In 1865 she made her debut at the Opéra-Comique in Herold’s opera “Marie”. In 1868 she created the role of Djelma in Auber’s “Le premier jour de bonheur” and in 1870 the role of Jeanne in Von Flotow’s “L’ombre”. For a long period she worked with the Carl Rosa Opera Company and toured the United Kingdom and the United States of America. In 1890 she set up a music school and taught singing in Paris. She made her farewell tour in 1894. Her first marriage was with the opera singer Julius (Julio) Perkins (1845-1875) and her second marriage with opera impresario James Henry Mapleson.

Marie Rôze, born Marie Hippolyte Ponsin (1846-1926); French soprano. She studied singing at the Conservatoire National de Paris with Mocker and Auber. In 1865 she made her debut at the Opéra-Comique in Herold’s opera “Marie”. In 1868 she created the role of Djelma in Auber’s “Le premier jour de bonheur” and in 1870 the role of Jeanne in Von Flotow’s “L’ombre”. For a long period she worked with the Carl Rosa Opera Company and toured the United Kingdom and the United States of America. In 1890 she set up a music school and taught singing in Paris. She made her farewell tour in 1894. Her first marriage was with the opera singer Julius (Julio) Perkins (1845-1875) and her second marriage with opera impresario James Henry Mapleson.