Blanche Marchesi

1863-1940
French Mezzo Soprano
Daughter and pupil of Mathilde Marchesi, a German mezzo-soprano who became a teacher of legendary stature, based in Paris, and mentor to Nellie Melba, Mary Garden and a host of other famous names. Blanche's debut, at an advanced age, came in 1900, as Brünnhilde in Prague. In Britain she worked for a time with the Moody-Manners company, singing the title-role in the 1903 Scottish premiere of La gioconda. Her concert career was also extensive. She later lived and taught in London.