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Dame NELLIE MELBA GBE (Helen Porter Mitchell) (19 May 1861 – 23 February 1931), Australian Soprano Melba studied singing in Melbourne and made a modest success in performances there. After a brief and unsuccessful marriage, she moved to Europe in search of a singing career. Failing to find engagements in London in 1886, she studied in Paris and soon made a great success there and in Brussels. Returning to London she quickly established herself as the leading lyric soprano at Covent Garden from 1888. She soon achieved further success in Paris and elsewhere in Europe, and later at the Metropolitan Opera, New York, debuting there in 1893. Her repertoire was small; in her whole career she sang no more than 25 roles and was closely identified with only ten. She was known for her performances in French and Italian opera, but sang little German opera

EUPHROSYNE PAREPA-ROSA (7 May 1836 – 21 January 1874) British Soprano Her operatic début was at the age of 16 in Malta as Amina in La Sonnambula, followed by engagements in Naples, Genoa, Rome, Florence, Madrid, and Lisbon. She sang at the Lyceum Theatre, London, for the 1857 season (the year after the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden burnt down), and between 1859 and 1865 appeared in opera at both Covent Garden and Her Majesty's Theatre. During this time, she participated in two operatic premieres, creating the title role in Alfred Mellon's Victorine on 19 December 1859, and the role of Mabel in George Alexander Macfarren's opera Helvellyn on 5 November 1864. Established the Parepa-Rosa English Opera Company there, In 1870, the Parepa-Rosa Opera Company returned to Britain and then appeared in Italian opera at Cairo, Egypt, followed by a return to America for another successful tour in 1871-71. In 1872, they returned to Britain. In September 1873, the company changed its name to Carl Rosa's English Opera, since Parepa was pregnant Parepa-Rosa died in childbirth in London at the age of 37 while preparing a production of an English version of Richard Wagner's Lohengrin.

Emma Calve as Carmen 'Carmen" Bizet EMMA CALVE (Rosa Emma Calvet de Noëmie Roquer) (August 15, 1858 – January 6, 1942), French Soprano Her operatic debut occurred on September 23, 1881, in Gounod's Faust at Brussels' La Monnaie. Later she sang at La Scala in Milan, and also at the principal theatres of Naples, Rome, and Florence. Returning to Paris in 1891, she created the part of Suzel in L'amico Fritz by Pietro Mascagni, playing and singing the role later at Rome. Because of her great success in it, she was chosen to appear[citation needed] as Santuzza in the French premiere of Cavalleria rusticana, which was viewed as one of her greatest parts. She repeated her success in it in London. Her next triumph was Bizet's Carmen. Before beginning the study of this part, she went to Spain, learned the Spanish dances, mingled with the people and patterned her characterization after the cigarette girls whom she watched at their work and at play. In 1894, she made her appearance in the role at the Opéra-Comique, Paris. The city's opera-goers immediately hailed her as the greatest Carmen that had ever appeared, a verdict other cities would later echo. She had had many famous predecessors in the role, including Adelina Patti, Minnie Hauk and Célestine Galli-Marié, but critics and musicians agreed that in Calvé they had found their ideal of Bizet's cigarette girl of Seville. Calvé first appeared in America in the season of 1893–1894 as Mignon. She would make regular visits to the country, both in grand opera and in concert tours. After making her Metropolitan Opera debut as Santuzza, she went on to appear a total of 261 times with the company between 1893 and 1904. She created the part of Anita, which was written for her, in Massenet's La Navarraise in London in 1894 and sang Sapho in an opera written by the same composer. She sang Ophélie in Ambroise Thomas's Hamlet in Paris in 1899, but the part was not suited to her and she dropped it. She appeared with success in many roles, among them, as the Countess in The Marriage of Figaro, the title role in Félicien David's Lalla-Rookh, as Pamina in The Magic Flute, and as Camille in Hérold's Zampa, but she is best known as Carmen .

Emma Calve as Carmen 'Carmen" Bizet EMMA CALVE (Rosa Emma Calvet de Noëmie Roquer) (August 15, 1858 – January 6, 1942), French Soprano Her operatic debut occurred on September 23, 1881, in Gounod's Faust at Brussels' La Monnaie. Later she sang at La Scala in Milan, and also at the principal theatres of Naples, Rome, and Florence. Returning to Paris in 1891, she created the part of Suzel in L'amico Fritz by Pietro Mascagni, playing and singing the role later at Rome. Because of her great success in it, she was chosen to appear as Santuzza in the French premiere of Cavalleria rusticana, which was viewed as one of her greatest parts. She repeated her success in it in London. Her next triumph was Bizet's Carmen. Before beginning the study of this part, she went to Spain, learned the Spanish dances, mingled with the people and patterned her characterization after the cigarette girls whom she watched at their work and at play. In 1894, she made her appearance in the role at the Opéra-Comique, Paris. The city's opera-goers immediately She had had many famous predecessors in the role, including Adelina Patti, Minnie Hauk and Célestine Galli-Marié, but critics and musicians agreed that in Calvé they had found hailed her as the greatest Carmen that had ever appeared, a verdict other cities would later echo.their ideal of Bizet's cigarette girl of Seville. Calvé first appeared in America in the season of 1893–1894 as Mignon. She would make regular visits to the country, both in grand opera and in concert tours. After making her Metropolitan Opera debut as Santuzza, she went on to appear a total of 261 times with the company between 1893 and 1904. She created the part of Anita, which was written for her, in Massenet's La Navarraise in London in 1894 and sang Sapho in an opera written by the same composer. She sang Ophélie in Ambroise Thomas's Hamlet in Paris in 1899, but the part was not suited to her and she dropped it. She appeared with success in many roles, among them, as the Countess in The Marriage of Figaro, the title role in Félicien David's Lalla-Rookh, as Pamina in The Magic Flute, and as Camille in Hérold's Zampa, but she is best known as Carmen .

Unknown as Escamillo in 'Carmen" by Bizet Can anyone help identify this opera singer

Layolle as Valentine 'Faust" Gounod at Geneva JULES LAYOLLE 8th July 1865-18th November 1930 French Baritone Began his career at the Opera Marseille where he participated in the premiere of “Griselidis” by Massenet as The Marquis in 1903.In 1906 at La Monnaie Brussells he participated in the premiere’s of “la Prise de Troie” by Berlioz as Chorebe and 1907 “Arianne” by Massenet as Piritheus .He went to the USA in 1908 and created his own French opera company ‘Jules Layolle Grand Opera Company” and remained until 1914 and then returned to France

EDMOND CABEL (Edmund Antoine August Dreulette) 18 November 1832-1888 Belgium Tenor Brother of Marie Cabel 1827-1885 soprano , Studied at the Paris Conservatory . In 1855 he sang in “la pie Voleuse ‘ by Rossini and Artemidore in “Armide” by Gluck in student performances . At the Opera Comique in 1855 he won second prize in a singing competition and remained at the Comique until 1859 ,and there after he sang at the Theatre Lyrique Paris , where he created Hylas in “les Troyens” by Berloiz on 4/11/1863 he was concurrently appearing in a revival of Felicien David’s “ La perle du Brésil at the same theatre . From 1871-1875 he was at the Monnaie in Brussels , He died in Brussells in December 1888.

as Frederic Bernier in 'Solange" by Salvayer CREATOR Opera Comique 10/3/1909 FERNAND FRANCELL (Paris, 1880 – Paris, February 20, 1966). French Tenor He studied singing at the Paris Conservatoire. He made his debut in 11/9/1906 at the Opéra-Comique in Paris as Vincent in ‘’Mireille’’ of Gounod. In 1908 he sang at the Théâtre Gaîté Lyrique in Paris as Wilhelm Meister in ‘’Mignon’’ . He had a long career at the Opéra-Comique, where he appeared in a large number of premieres.In 1914 he appeared as Paco in the première of ‘’La vida breve’’ of de Falla; also in the premieres of the operas ‘’Le Bonhomme Jadis’’ Jacques-Dalcroze 1906, ‘’Fortunio’’ Messager 1907, ‘’La Habanéra’’ Raoul Laparra 1908, ‘’Chiquito’’ 1909 and ‘’La Danseuse de Pompéi’’ 1912 of Jean Nouguès, ‘’Le Mariage de Télémaque’’ Claude Terrasse 1910, ‘’Le voile du Bonheur’’ Charles Pons 1911 , ‘’Francesca da Rimini’’ of Franco Leoni . 1913. Performed mainly in France After his retirement from the stage he taught in at the Paris Conservatoire.

This is Possibly Blanche Marchesi ..Your thoughts would be appreciated

FRIEDA HEMPEL 1885-1955 German Soprano Studied at Leipzig and then Berlin with Nicklass-Kempner .Made early appearances at Brelau singing Violetta ,Queen of the Night and Rosina.Made her debut at Schwerin in 1905 and remained until 1907 singing Gilda , Leonora (Il Trovatore) .By request of Kaiser Wilhelm II she made her Berlin debut 1905 as Frau Fluth (in Nicolai's Die lustigen Weiber von Windsor). She sang at the Royal Court Opera, Berlin, from 1907 to 1912, where she was also admired as Lucia, Marguerite de Valois and Marie.At the Covent Garden, London in 1907 as Bastienne, in Humperdinck's Hänsel und Gretel, as Eva and Elsa and again as Frau Fluth . In 1912 she made her debut at the Metropolitan Opera House, New York as Marguerite de Valois. She sang regularly in New York thereafter into the 1920s.After 1919 she sang mostly recitals and made her last appearance at New York Town Hall in 1951

FRIEDA HEMPEL 1885-1955 German Soprano Studied at Leipzig and then Berlin with Nicklass-Kempner .Made early appearances at Brelau singing Violetta ,Queen of the Night and Rosina.Made her debut at Schwerin in 1905 and remained until 1907 singing Gilda , Leonora (Il Trovatore) .By request of Kaiser Wilhelm II she made her Berlin debut 1905 as Frau Fluth (in Nicolai's Die lustigen Weiber von Windsor). She sang at the Royal Court Opera, Berlin, from 1907 to 1912, where she was also admired as Lucia, Marguerite de Valois and Marie.At the Covent Garden, London in 1907 as Bastienne, in Humperdinck's Hänsel und Gretel, as Eva and Elsa and again as Frau Fluth . In 1912 she made her debut at the Metropolitan Opera House, New York as Marguerite de Valois. She sang regularly in New York thereafter into the 1920s.After 1919 she sang mostly recitals and made her last appearance at New York Town Hall in 1951

Hempel as Frau Fluth 'Die lustigen Weiber von Windsor" by Nicolai FRIEDA HEMPEL 1885-1955 German Soprano Studied at Leipzig and then Berlin with Nicklass-Kempner .Made early appearances at Brelau singing Violetta ,Queen of the Night and Rosina.Made her debut at Schwerin in 1905 and remained until 1907 singing Gilda , Leonora (Il Trovatore) .By request of Kaiser Wilhelm II she made her Berlin debut 1905 as Frau Fluth (in Nicolai's Die lustigen Weiber von Windsor). She sang at the Royal Court Opera, Berlin, from 1907 to 1912, where she was also admired as Lucia, Marguerite de Valois and Marie.At the Covent Garden, London in 1907 as Bastienne, in Humperdinck's Hänsel und Gretel, as Eva and Elsa and again as Frau Fluth . In 1912 she made her debut at the Metropolitan Opera House, New York as Marguerite de Valois. She sang regularly in New York thereafter into the 1920s.After 1919 she sang mostly recitals and made her last appearance at New York Town Hall in 1951

LILLIAN NORDICA (Lillian Norton) 1857-1947 American soprano, Nordica grew up from the age of six in Boston, studied at the New England Conservatory of Music, and then gave recitals in the United States and London before resuming study in Milan. In 1879 she made her debut in Milan as Donna Elvira in W.A. Mozart’s Don Giovanni and in Brescia, Italy, as Violetta in Giuseppe Verdi’s La traviata. After singing in many Italian, German, and Russian cities, she made her Paris Opéra debut in 1882 as Marguerite in Charles Gounod’s Faust. In 1887 Nordica first appeared in London at Covent Garden and until 1893 performed there and at Drury Lane in such parts as Lucia, Donna Elvira, and Aida. In 1894 she was engaged at Bayreuth, Germany—the first American to be so honoured—as Elsa in Richard Wagner’s Lohengrin, and her tumultuous reception was such that she thereafter concentrated on Wagnerian parts. In 1895 she sang Isolde at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City, where she remained until 1909, excelling especially as Brünnhilde and Kundry. After retiring from the Metropolitan, she launched a world farewell tour that ended in 1913 when her ship grounded in the Gulf of Papua in December. She contracted pneumonia and died of complications of the disease.

Nordica as Elsa "Lohengrin" Wagner LILLIAN NORDICA (Lillian Norton) 1857-1947 American soprano, Nordica grew up from the age of six in Boston, studied at the New England Conservatory of Music, and then gave recitals in the United States and London before resuming study in Milan. In 1879 she made her debut in Milan as Donna Elvira in W.A. Mozart’s Don Giovanni and in Brescia, Italy, as Violetta in Giuseppe Verdi’s La traviata. After singing in many Italian, German, and Russian cities, she made her Paris Opéra debut in 1882 as Marguerite in Charles Gounod’s Faust. In 1887 Nordica first appeared in London at Covent Garden and until 1893 performed there and at Drury Lane in such parts as Lucia, Donna Elvira, and Aida. In 1894 she was engaged at Bayreuth, Germany—the first American to be so honoured—as Elsa in Richard Wagner’s Lohengrin, and her tumultuous reception was such that she thereafter concentrated on Wagnerian parts. In 1895 she sang Isolde at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City, where she remained until 1909, excelling especially as Brünnhilde and Kundry. After retiring from the Metropolitan, she launched a world farewell tour that ended in 1913 when her ship grounded in the Gulf of Papua in December. She contracted pneumonia and died of complications of the disease.

Nordica as Brunhilde 'Die Walkure" Wagner LILLIAN NORDICA (Lillian Norton) 1857-1947 American soprano, Nordica grew up from the age of six in Boston, studied at the New England Conservatory of Music, and then gave recitals in the United States and London before resuming study in Milan. In 1879 she made her debut in Milan as Donna Elvira in W.A. Mozart’s Don Giovanni and in Brescia, Italy, as Violetta in Giuseppe Verdi’s La traviata. After singing in many Italian, German, and Russian cities, she made her Paris Opéra debut in 1882 as Marguerite in Charles Gounod’s Faust. In 1887 Nordica first appeared in London at Covent Garden and until 1893 performed there and at Drury Lane in such parts as Lucia, Donna Elvira, and Aida. In 1894 she was engaged at Bayreuth, Germany—the first American to be so honoured—as Elsa in Richard Wagner’s Lohengrin, and her tumultuous reception was such that she thereafter concentrated on Wagnerian parts. In 1895 she sang Isolde at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City, where she remained until 1909, excelling especially as Brünnhilde and Kundry. After retiring from the Metropolitan, she launched a world farewell tour that ended in 1913 when her ship grounded in the Gulf of Papua in December. She contracted pneumonia and died of complications of the disease.

LILLIAN NORDICA (Lillian Norton) 1857-1947 American soprano, Nordica grew up from the age of six in Boston, studied at the New England Conservatory of Music, and then gave recitals in the United States and London before resuming study in Milan. In 1879 she made her debut in Milan as Donna Elvira in W.A. Mozart’s Don Giovanni and in Brescia, Italy, as Violetta in Giuseppe Verdi’s La traviata. After singing in many Italian, German, and Russian cities, she made her Paris Opéra debut in 1882 as Marguerite in Charles Gounod’s Faust. In 1887 Nordica first appeared in London at Covent Garden and until 1893 performed there and at Drury Lane in such parts as Lucia, Donna Elvira, and Aida. In 1894 she was engaged at Bayreuth, Germany—the first American to be so honoured—as Elsa in Richard Wagner’s Lohengrin, and her tumultuous reception was such that she thereafter concentrated on Wagnerian parts. In 1895 she sang Isolde at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City, where she remained until 1909, excelling especially as Brünnhilde and Kundry. After retiring from the Metropolitan, she launched a world farewell tour that ended in 1913 when her ship grounded in the Gulf of Papua in December. She contracted pneumonia and died of complications of the disease.

ZINA BROZIA 1880- French Soprano Studied with Elena Teodorini in Paris . Her Opera Comique debut was as Violetta “La Traviata” by Verdi on the 13 September 1905, after singing the roles of Gilda, Manon and Seso in the world première of Erlanger’s “Aphrodita”, She was a member of the Opéra Comique between 1905-1909. In 1907 she sang at Monte Carlo, making her debut as Elena in Mefistofele, and thereafter appearing as Elisabeth in Verdi’ s Don Carlos. She made guest appearances at the Monnaie, Brussels, and in 1908 at the Teatro Regio, Parma, as Butterfly and Manon. She débuted at the Palais Garnier on 27 March 1908 as Gilda in Rigoletto and also sang Juliet “Romeo and Juliet “ ), Marguerite “Faust”, Marguerite “ Mefistofele”, Thais “Thais” then, in 1909, in Ophelia “Hamlet”. In 1911 Russell brought her to Boston and from Boston she returned to France. In 1914 at Théâtre de Gaité à Paris she sang Salome in Massenet’s Herodiade and took part in Bianchini’s Radda , a one act piece after a drama by Gorki. Also she created Hirschmann's “La Danseuse de Tangra” at La Gaitie in Paris.

as Gilda 'Rigoletto" Verdi ZINA BROZIA 1880- French Soprano Studied with Elena Teodorini in Paris . Her Opera Comique debut was as Violetta “La Traviata” by Verdi on the 13 September 1905, after singing the roles of Gilda, Manon and Seso in the world première of Erlanger’s “Aphrodita”, She was a member of the Opéra Comique between 1905-1909. In 1907 she sang at Monte Carlo, making her debut as Elena in Mefistofele, and thereafter appearing as Elisabeth in Verdi’ s Don Carlos. She made guest appearances at the Monnaie, Brussels, and in 1908 at the Teatro Regio, Parma, as Butterfly and Manon. She débuted at the Palais Garnier on 27 March 1908 as Gilda in Rigoletto and also sang Juliet “Romeo and Juliet “ ), Marguerite “Faust”, Marguerite “ Mefistofele”, Thais “Thais” then, in 1909, in Ophelia “Hamlet”. In 1911 Russell brought her to Boston and from Boston she returned to France. In 1914 at Théâtre de Gaité à Paris she sang Salome in Massenet’s Herodiade and took part in Bianchini’s Radda , a one act piece after a drama by Gorki. Also she created Hirschmann's “La Danseuse de Tangra” at La Gaitie in Paris.