Dame Emma Albani
Albani, Dame Emma
Dame Emma Albani, stage name of Marie-Louise-Cécile-Emma Lajeunesse, soprano (b at Chambly, Canada E 1 Nov 1847; d at London, Eng 3 Apr 1930). Her parents were her teachers in Chambly, Plattsburgh and Montréal, where she gave her first concert in 1856. She was to become the first Canadian-born artist to distinguish herself in the international world of opera, oratorio and concert singing.
After studies in Paris and Milan, she made her opera debut at Messina, Italy, as Oscar in Un Ballo in maschera (1869), but her first real triumph came soon after, as Amina in La Sonnambula. This was to be her debut role in London (1872), Paris (1872) and New York (1874). Though attached to Covent Garden, London, she steadily pursued her international career in many countries. In 1891-1892 she sang at the Metropolitan Opera in New York.
By the time she retired from the opera stage in 1896, she had sung 43 leading roles. She made about a dozen enthusiastically received Canadian tours, 1883-1906. Her remarkable voice has been preserved on a Rococo 5255 record, on which she sings 8 titles, including turn-of-the-century songs and 3 Handel arias.
Emma Albani, singer
After studying in Paris and Milan, Albani embarked on a career which took her to the world's most famous opera houses. By the time she retired in 1896, she had sung 43 leading roles (courtesy Library and Archives Canada/PA-127289).
Author GILLES POTVIN
Links to Other Sites
Emma Albani
A profile of Dame Emma Albani, Canadian Opera star of the 19th century. From the Dictionary of Canadian Biography Online.
The Virtual Gramophone
An extensive multimedia database that covers the history of recorded music in Canada. Search the site for musician biographies and notes about the early years of sound recording, online audio clips of recordings, podcasts on specific themes, videos, and more. From Library and Archives Canada.
Emma (Lajeunesse) Albani
Emma (Lajeunesse) Albani, Canadian opera singer, is profiled at this Library and Archives Canada website. Includes a sound clip of her in performance.
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