Description

ROSALIA CHALIA (HAVANA, 17 NOVEMBER, 1864 – HAVANA, 16 NOVEMBER, 1948)

 

 

 

 

Rosalia Herrera del Castillo, known professionally as Rosalia Chalia, was a distinguished opera singer who studied under Sbriglia in Paris and Coronaro in Milan. In 1894, she joined the Gustav Hinrichs Opera Company, which marked the beginning of her professional career.

Her debut at the Metropolitan Opera in New York occurred in 1898, where she performed as Santuzza in Cavalleria Rusticana. Despite this early appearance, she was not active at the Met for long. Following this, she embarked on a tour with the Damrosch-Ellis Opera Company, and spent the next 14 years performing at the Opera House in Mexico City.

From 1900 to 1908, she traveled extensively throughout Cuba, Mexico, Central America, and Venezuela, becoming a prominent figure in these regions. Her final stage appearance was in Venezuela in 1916. After her performing career, she settled in New York, where she became known for her efforts to promote young Spanish and South American singers in the United States. In 1947, she returned to her birthplace, Cuba, where she continued to contribute to the cultural landscape.

 

Chronology of some appearances

 

1898 New York Metropolitan Opera Cavalleria Rusticana (Santuzza)

1898 New York Metropolitan Opera Aida (Aida)

 

TRACKLIST

 

 

1. Aida (Verdi) O patria mia 9203 Zonophone, New York 1901
2. Ave Maria (Gounod) 576 Zonophone, New York 1901
3. Ballo in maschera (Verdi) Ma dall’arrido stelo divulsa 9199 Zonophone, New York 1901
4. Barbiere di Siviglia (Rossini) Io sono docile 9204 Zonophone, New York 1901
5. Carmen (Bizet) Air of Micaëla 9134 Zonophone, New York 1901
6. Étoile du Nord (Meyerbeer) Barcarolle 9136 Zonophone, New York 1901
7. Fandango (Spanish Folk Song) 9453 Zonophone, New York 1901
8. Faust (Gounod) Deh parlate d’amor 9270 Zonophone, New York 1901
9. Il bacio (Arditi) 9206 Zonophone, New York 1901
10. La Calesera (Yradier) 9137 Zonophone, New York 1901
11. Martha (Flotow) Last rose of summer 9200 Zonophone, New York 1901
12. Perle du Brésil (David) Charmant oiseau 579 Zonophone, New York 1901
13. Polo (Spanish Folk Song) 9457 Zonophone, New York 1901
14. Semiramide (Rossini) Bel raggio lusinghier 9139 Zonophone, New York 1901
15. Serenade aragonaise with Sig. Carlos Francisco 9561 Zonophone, New York 1901
16. Soledad gitana (-) 9138 Zonophone, New York 1901
17. Traviata (Verdi) Addio del passato 9207 Zonophone, New York 1901
18. Traviata (Verdi) Ah fors’è lui 9208 Zonophone, New York 1901
19. Tú, Habanera (Fuentes) 9458 Zonophone, New York 1901
20. Zortzico (Cuban song) 9135 Zonophone, New York 1901