Description

EMMA CALVÉ (DECAZEVILLE, AVEYRON, FRANCE 15 AUGUST 1858 – MONTPELLIER, HÉRAULT, FRANCE 6 JANUARY 1942)

She studied singing with Jules Puget in Paris and continued her training with Rosine Laborde and Mathilde Marchesi.

Career Highlights:

• Debut: She made her debut in 1882 at the Théâtre de la Monnaie in Brussels as Marguerite in C. Gounod’s Faust.
• Opéra-Comique: She joined the Opéra-Comique in Paris in 1885, where she made a significant impact.
• International Success: In 1887, she performed at the Teatro alla Scala in Milan, notably as Ophélie in A. Thomas’s Hamlet (1890). She was celebrated for her roles and participated in numerous world premieres, including:
  • Le Chevalier Jean by V. de Joncières (Opéra-Comique, 1885)
  • Medgé by S. Samara (Teatro Costanzi, Roma, 1888)
  • L’amico Fritz by P. Mascagni (Teatro Costanzi, 1891)
  • Amy Robsart by Isidore de Lara (Covent Garden, 1893)
  • La Navarraise by J. Massenet (Covent Garden, 1894)
  • Sapho by J. Massenet (Opéra-Comique, 1897)
  • La Carmélite by Reynaldo Hahn (Opéra-Comique, 1902)
• Notable Roles: She created several roles including:
  • Suzanna in Cavalleria Rusticana by P. Mascagni (Opéra-Comique, 1892; Covent Garden, 1894)
  • La Navarraise (Opéra-Comique, 1894; Metropolitan Opera, 1895)
  • Carmen (Opéra-Comique, 1891; Covent Garden, 1895; Metropolitan Opera, 1897)
• Metropolitan Opera: From 1893 to 1904, she appeared in 131 performances at the Metropolitan Opera in New York. She also had engagements at the Manhattan Opera House from 1907 to 1909.
• Later Performances: She toured North America splendidly in the 1915-1916 season and again in 1923. Her last notable performance was in 1938.
• Marriage: In 1911, she married tenor Galileo Gasparini, but they separated in 1921.

Legacy: Known for her powerful portrayal of Carmen and her significant contributions to various premieres, Emma Calvé remains celebrated for her remarkable career in opera.

TRACKLIST

1. Carmen (Bizet): Habanera 3281 2058b G&T, London 1902-07
2. Magali (Chant Provençal) (trad) 3282 2059b G&T, London 1902-07
3. Enchantement (Massenet) 3283 2060b G&T, London 1902-07
4. Sérénade de Zanetto (du passant) (Massenet) 3284 2061b G&T, London 1902-07
5. Carmen (Bizet): Seguidilla 3285 2062b” G&T, London 1902-07
6. Cavalleria Rusticana (Mascagni): Voi lo sapete 3286 2063b G&T, London 1902-07
7. Perle du Brésil (David): Charmant oiseau (w. orch) 88087 C4425 Victor, Camden NJ 1907-04-22
8. Cavalleria Rusticana (Mascagni): Voi lo sapete 88086 C4426 Victor, Camden NJ 1907-04-22
9. Carmen (Bizet): L’amour est un oiseau rebelle (Habanera) (orch) 88085 C4427 Victor, Camden NJ 1907-04-22
10. Old folks at home (Foster) 88089 C4429 Victor, Camden NJ 1907-04-22
11. Hérodiade (Massenet): Celui dont la parole… Il est doux 88130 C6012 Victor, Camden NJ 1908-03-05
12. Ma Lisette (trad); Au printemps (Gounod) (w. piano) 88123 C6018
13. Plaisir d’amour (Martini) 88134 C6021 Victor, Camden NJ 1908-03-06
14. La calasera (Chanson espagñole) (Yradier) 063003 C6022 Victor, Camden NJ 1908-03-06
15. Sérénade (Gounod) 88119 C4428 Victor, Camden NJ 1908-03-09
16. Carmen (Bizet): Les tringles des sistres 88124 C6042 Victor, Camden NJ 1908-03-20
17. Carmen (Bizet): Là-bas dans la montagne (w. Dalmores) 89019 C6043 Victor, Camden NJ 1908-03-20
18. Trois chansons pour les petits: a) Frère Jacques; b) Au clair de la lune; c) Une poule (trad) 88572 C17808 Victor, New York 1916-06-06
19. La Marseillaise (de l’Isle) (w. Met Opera chorus) 88570 C17830 Victor, New York 1916-06-08