Description

MIRIAM LICETTE (OVER, CHESHIRE, ENGLAND, 9 SEPTEMBER, 1885 – READING, BERKSHIRE, ENGLAND, 11 AUGUST, 1969)

She descended from an English-French family and spent her childhood in Chester, Hong Kong, and Singapore. She was first noticed by Dame Nellie Melba, who advised her to study in Paris with Melba’s own teacher, Mathilde Marchesi. She further honed her vocal technique under Jean de Reszke in Paris and Sabattini in Milan.

She made her debut in 1911 in Rome as Madama Butterfly and subsequently performed in Genoa. She lived in Italy until 1914. During World War I, she became the leading prima donna of the Beecham Opera in London. With the Beecham Opera ensemble, she performed at Covent Garden in the 1919-1920 season as Eurydice in Orpheus (with Clara Butt as Orpheus) and Jaroslawna in Prince Igor. In 1920, she sang the role of Mimi in La Bohème during Covent Garden’s opening season.

As a member of the British National Opera in 1917, she performed as Gräfin in Le nozze di Figaro and Constance in Die Entführung aus dem Serail. She returned to Covent Garden in the 1928-1929 season. In 1935, she appeared on the BBC in a performance of Paul Hindemith’s Cardillac. After her performing career, she retired to focus on teaching singing.

Chronology of some appearances

1911 Roma Opera

1917 London British National Opera

1919-1920 London Covent Garden

TRACKLIST

1. Don Giovanni (Mozart) Batti, Batti (Strike, O Strike) Columbia WAX5021 DX130
2. Don Giovanni (Mozart) Recit & Aria Mi Tradi Quell’alma Ingrata (Thus Betrayed) Columbia WAX4903 11894
3. Maritana (Vincent Wallace) Finale (Act2) What Mystery? with Heddle Nash and Dennis Noble Columbia CA11926 63506
4. Maritana (Vincent Wallace) Pretty Gitana Columbia CA11927 63505
5. Maritana (Vincent Wallace) Scenes that are Brightest Columbia CA11918 63453
6. Maritana (Vincent Wallace) Of Fairy Wand Had I the Power with Dennis Noble Columbia CA11920 63474
7. Maritana (Vincent Wallace) ‘Tis the harp in the air Columbia CA11916 63451
8. Maritana (Vincent Wallace) Sainted Mother with Clara Serena Columbia CA11930 63502
9. Pagliacci (Leoncavallo) Finale if thou deemest me so unworthy Columbia 4358 A 5067
10. Pagliacci (Leoncavallo) Pour the Philtre in his Wine Columbia 4357 A 5069
11. Pagliacci (Leoncavallo) Pure, yes, I know thou art Columbia 4357 A 5063
12. The Barber of Saville (Rossini) Can I Be Dare I Believe Thee (act 1) part 1 with Dennis Noble Columbia WAX2871 7801
13. The Barber of Saville (Rossini) Can I Be Dare I Believe Thee (act 1) part 2 with Dennis Noble Columbia WAX2872 7802
14. Bohemian Girl (Balfe) Vocal gems, pt 1 and pt 2 (w. Licette) Columbia 9579 WAX 4343-2, 4344-1
15. Choral symphony, no. 9 in D minor Part 13 last movement (second part) with Hubert Eisdell, Muriel Brunskill, Harold Williams Columbia AX1362 L1781
16. Choral symphony, no. 9 in D minor Part 16 last movement (Conclusion) with Hubert Eisdell, Muriel Brunskill, Harold Williams Columbia AX1362 L1782
17. Faust (Gounod) I pray you go with Heddle Nash and Robert Easton Columbia DX97 WAX4833
18. Faust (Gounod) Now let me try my fortune with Heddle Nash Columbia DX97 WAX4837
19. Faust (Gounod) Margarita, ah! begone with Heddle Nash Columbia DX98 WAX4838
20. Faust (Gounod) I know…Look, there she opens the window with Robert Easton Columbia DX98 WAX5430