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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.

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.

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.

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.

ANTON SCHOTT (Schloss Staufeneck) 24th June 1847-6th January 1913 German Tenor He was an army officer before turning to a musical career. In 1871 he began his studies with Agnes Schebest-Strauss, and by the end of the year had already appeared at the Munich Opera .He was engaged as a leading tenor at Berlin opera in 1872 , His London debut was as Reinzi in “Rienzi” by Wagner in 1880.In 1882 he toured Italy with Angelo Neumann’s Opera Company to appear in the opera’s of Wagner.His Metropolitan New York debut in 1884 was as Tannhauser in “Tannhauser” by Wagner , he remained at the Metropolitan until 1887 . He made guest appearances in Europe and South America,He also appeared in concert

MARGUERITE VAILLANT- COUTURIER 12 May 1855 - 1 May 1930 French Soprano Studied Paris Conservatory and won 1st prize at the Opera Comique Paris in 1878,Debut in “Mirielle” by Gounod at the La Monnaie Bruxelles At the Monnaie she sang Juliette “Romeo et Juliette” by Gounod , ‘Galathee” by Masse .”l’etoile du Nord” by Meyerbeer. She than sang in Marseille , Nantes and Geneva and then returned to Paris where she sang in the premiere’s of “Le Coeur et la Main” on 19/10/1882 , “La roi de Carreau ‘ by de Lajarte on 26/10/1883 and “Babolin” by Varney 19/3/1884. She then returned to Bruxelles to create Manon and sing Margurite in “Faust” by Gounod and Ophelia in “Hamlet” by Thomas, she then travelled to Buenos Aires and St Petersburg before returning to the Opera Comique making her debut as Carmen in “‘Carmen” by Bizet on 12/6/1888 at the Comique she created Catherine in “L’Esadron volant de la Reine “ by Litloff ,She also sang at The Hague and Toulouse.Sister of Soprano Pauline Vaillant and Aunt of singer Marguerite Carre

Albert Niemann as Lohengrin "Lohengrin" Wagner ALBERT NIEMANN (15 January 1831 – 13 January 1917) German Tenor Niemann made a debut in Dessau in 1849, singing in minor roles and in chorus. He received training from Fritz Schneider (director of the ducal Hofkapell), from Albert Nusch and from Gilbert Duprez in Paris. Until 1866 he had various engagements in Stuttgart, Königsberg, Stettin, and from 1854 in Hannover. At Hannover he sang Tannhäuser (from 1854), Lohengrin (from 1855) and Rienzi (from 1859).In 1864, Niemann sang as guest in two performances of Tannhäuser at Munich, and in one of Lohengrin by the arrangement of Ludwig II, shortly before the death of King Maximilian II of Bavaria. Ludwig invited Niemann to repeat these roles in Munich in 1866, but war intervened: in the following year he was again invited, but declined, because the usual cuts were not to be made. In 1866, he became a member of the Berlin Opera, and remained so until 1888. In April 1870, he sang Walther in the Berlin Meistersinger premiere. As Tichatschek had grown old, and after Ludwig Schnorr's death in 1865, Niemann had become one of the most experienced and advanced Wagnerian tenors, In May 1872 he was in the quartet of soloists (with Johanna Jachmann-Wagner, Marie Lehmann and Franz Betz) in the inaugural performance of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony at the foundation-stone laying of the Bayreuth Festspielhaus, Niemann remained with the Berlin opera until 1888, but in the later years of his career he participated in several important tours. In 1882, he appeared as Siegmund in the first London Die Walküre, at Her Majesty's Theatre. In 1883, he was one of the twelve pall-bearers at Wagner's funeral at Wahnfried. From 1886 to 1888 he appeared at the Metropolitan Opera House, as the first American Tristan (December 1, 1886, Anton Seidl, conductor, Lilli Lehmann, Isolde, as Siegfried in the first American Götterdämmerung ( January 25, 1888, with Lilli Lehmann as Brünnhilde, and in Spontini's opera Fernando Cortez. In New York, he also sang Siegmund, John of Leyden in Le prophète, Tannhäuser, Lohengrin, Florestan (in Fidelio), and Eleazar in La juive. Angelo Neumann's touring company, in which Niemann took part under Seidl's conductorship, toured with the Ring through many towns of Germany, Belgium, Holland, Switzerland, Italy, Hungary, and AustriaAlbert Niemann died in Berlin, two days short of his 86th birthday.

MARIE LAFARGUE 13th November 1871-1913 French Soprano Studied at the Paris Conservatory , Debut at Paris opera as Desdemona “Otello” 19/4/1895 and remained until 1899 and sang Aida in “Aida” by Verdi 1895 , Elizabeth in ‘Tannhauser” by Wagner 1895 , Valentine ‘Les Huguenots” by Meyerbeer 1895 and Donna Anna “Don Giovanni” by Mozart 1896,Created Juliane in “Renaud d’arles” by Desjoyeaux in Monte Carlo in 1900 , Sang Marguerite “Faust” at Sarah Bernhardt Theatre Paris in 1903 , Her debut at the Opera Comique on 4/6/1905 was as Carmen “Carmen” by Bizet , her roles at the Comique included Charlotte in “Werther” by Massenet , Santuzza in “‘Cavalleria Rusticana” by Mascagni , Tosca in “Tosca” by Verdi , Guiletta in “Tales of Hoffman” by Offenbach and Anita in ‘La Navarraise ‘ by Massenet. She toured provincial France , Belguim , Buenos Aires and Cairo

JULIAN GAYARRE 9th January 1844-2nd February 1890 Spanish Tenor Studied at The Madrid Royal Conservatory and at the Milan Conservatory with Guiseppe Gerli.His debut was at Varise as Nemorino in “L’Elisir d’amore” by Donizetti in 1869, his early successes were in Italy , He created Marcello in “Il Duca d’Alba” by Donizetti at the Teatro Apollo in Rome on 22 March 1882 and Enzo “La Gioconda” by Ponchielli at the Teatro alla Scala, Milan, on 8 April 1876 .He sang in Paris , London , Spain , Lisbon , St Petersburg , Brazil and Argentina.He sang Sobinin in the London Premiere of “A Life for the Tsar” by Glinka , His last performance was in Madrid was as Nadir in “Les pêcheurs de perles » by Bizet.His roles included Fernado in « la Favorita » by Donizetti , Arvino in « I lombardi » by Verdi , Riccardo in « Un Ballo un Maschera » by Verdi , Duke in « Rigoletto » by Verdi , Amenophis in « Moses et Pharaoh » by Rossini , leading role in both « Tannhauser « and « Lohengrin » by Wagner , Arturo in « I Puriyani » by Bellini , Romeo in ‘Faust » by Gounod , Raol in ‘Les Huguenots » by Meyerbeer , Jonas in « La Prophete » by Meyerbeer and Vasco do Garma in « l’Africane » by Meyerbeer

Minnie Hauk as Carmen "Carmen " Bizet or Rosina "Barber of Saville" Rossini MINNIE HAUK (Amalia Mignon Hauck) (November 16, 1851 – February 6, 1929), American Soprano. In 1862, Hauk began vocal studies with Achille Errani, who secured her a spot with the operatic company of Max Maretzek. At age fourteen she made her debut in Brooklyn as Amina in La sonnambula, and a month later, in November, 1866, her New York City debut as Prascovia in L'étoile du nord. In the American premiere of Gounod's Roméo et Juliette (1867) she sang Juliette. Hauk sang at Covent Garden, London, on 26 October 1868, and debuted in Paris in 1869. The soprano then appeared in Italian and German opera at the Grand Opera in Vienna and other venues throughout Europe. Hauk was the first American Carmen (1878) and Manon (1885). Her voice became a mezzo-soprano of great strength and depth. Hauk's enormous repertory included approximately one hundred roles, and she sang Carmen in four languages.

ANTON WOWORSKY 1 December 1834 - 30 October 1910 Czech Tenor Debut 1857 as Alimar in " Belisar" by Donizetti at Graz.Made his debut at the Berlin Hofoper in 1859 in the title role in 'Robert de Diable" by Meyerbeer where he remained until his farewell performance as Count Almaviva '" Il barbiere di Siviglia" by Rossini in 1877

LOUISE LIEBHARDT 1828-1899 Hungarian Soprano Studied with Gentiluomo in Vienna. Debut at Karntnertor Theatre Vienna 1845.Sang at the Wiener Hofoper in 1846 and remained there until 1864 where she specialised in coloratura roles , both comic and serious.She made guest appearances in Berlin and sang roles by Donizetti , Meyerbeer.In 1864 she went to London and made tours of England , Scotland and Ireland . She made appearances at Her Majesty"s theatre and Covent Garden but was best known for her concert appearances .She settles in London and taught singing

JOHN SIMS REEVES (21 October 1821 – 25 October 1900), ( Sims Reeves) English operatic, oratorio and ballad tenor Reeves began his singing career in 1838 but continued his vocal studies until 1847 In summer 1843 Reeves studied in Paris under the tenor and pedagogue Marco Bordogni of the Paris Conservatoire From October 1843 to January 1844 Reeves appeared in a very varied programme of musical drama, including the roles of Elvino in "La Sonnambula" and Tom Tug in Charles Dibdin's "The Waterman", at the Manchester theatre, and over the next two years performed in Dublin, Liverpool and elsewhere in the provinces .In oratorio, Reeves first sang "The Messiah" in Glasgow, Scotland, during 1844 . His debut in Italian opera was made on 29 October 1846 at La Scala in Milan as Edgardo in Donizetti's "Lucia di Lammermoor", partnered by Catherine HayesHis first principal role on the English operatic stage was with Louis Jullien's English Opera company at Drury Lane Theatre in December 1847 in "Lucia", in English text, with Mme Doras Gras and Willoughby Weiss, winning winning immediate and near-universal acclaim, not least from Hector Berlioz, who conducted the performance 1848In February 1848 he sang Handel's "Judas Maccabaeus", at Exeter Hall for John Hullah, "Acis and Galatea" in March and "Jephtha" in April and May. He was, meanwhile establishing himself as the leading ballad-singer in England . In May 1848 he joined Benjamin Lumley's company at Her Majesty's Theatre and sang "Linda di Chamounix" with Eugenia Tadolini, but he severed the connection when Italo Gardoni was brought in to sing Edgardo in "Lucia" opposite Jenny Lind . In September 1848 at the Worcester festival he took a solo in "Elijah", and sang in Beethoven's "Christ on the Mount of Olives", and packed the hall in a recital of "Oberon" His London Covent Garden Italian debut was in 1849, as "Elvino" in Bellini's "La sonnambula", opposite Fanny Tacchinardi Persiani : he made a great effect of full lyrical declamation in "Tutto e sciolto In the winter of 1849 he returned to English opera, and in 1850 at Her Majesty's he made a further great success in Verdi's "Ernani", opposite the "Elvira" of Mdlle Parodi and "Carlo" of Giovanni Belletti, who was about to embark on an American tour at the invitation of Jenny Lind Reeves toured in Dublin at Theatre Royal in 1849, for Mr Calcraft .During the 1850s, Reeves's career moved away from the stage and increasingly focused upon concert work 1851In 1851 Reeves sang Florestan in "Fidelio" to Sophie Cruvelli's Leonore, and some thought he outshone her.In February 1851 they returned to Dublin, where Reeves was to have performed with the soprano Giulia Grisi: she, however, was indisposed, .

JANET MONARCH PATEY (Janet Monach Whytock ) (1 May 1842 – 28 February 1894) English contralto. Studied singing under J. Wass, Ciro Pinsuti and Mrs Sims Reeves (Emma Lucombe).Her first regular engagement was in 1865, in the provinces. From 1866, in which year she sang at the Worcester Festival, and married John Patey, a bass singer, she was recognized as one of the leading contraltos; and on the retirement of Helen Sainton-Dolby in 1870 Patey was without a rival whether in oratorio or in ballad music. She toured in America in 1871, sang in Paris in 1875, Australia in 1890, and New Zealand in 1891.

Boudouresque as St Bris "les Huguenots" Auguste-Acanthe Boudouresque French Bass 28 May 1835 – 21 January 1905) Student at the Marseille Conservatory ,, he won a first singing prize in 1859. The following year, he was an entrepreneur. On September 5, 1874, he began successfully at the Valette Theater, in Marseille, in Ernani , by Verdi (in Italian). Gifted with a superb voice of deep bass, he began at the Paris Opera on April 10, 1875 in the 'La Juive" (de Brogni) . He then sang various roles Then came the important creations of Timour "Roi De Lahore " 1877 Palais Garnier Paris , Le Legat In "Henry VIII" 1883 at Paris and sang in the premiere's at Palais Garnier Paris Ramphis "Aida" 1884 , Robert le Diable (Bertram) 1876 ; l'Africaine (don Pedro) 1877) ; le Chant du départ de Méhul 1883. Guillaume Tell (Melchtal, puis Walther, 1875) ; la Favorite (Balthazar, 1875) ; les Huguenots (Marcel, 1876) le Comte Ory (le Gouverneur, 1880 ; as well as secondary roles in other creations . He left the Opera House in 1885. After having travelled for a while to the province and abroad, he retired to Marseilles. He sang with considerable success, both in France and abroad, most of the bass roles of the repertoire,

CHARLES MARIE AUGUST PONCHARD 17 November 1824- 26 April 1891 French Tenor Son of Louis Antoine Ponchard (tenor) and Marie Sophia Collault (soprano).Debut Opera Comique Paris 1847 where he remained until 1871.Sang in many premieres at Opera Comique “La Chalet” by Adam 1851 , “le Nababa” by Halevy 1853 ,”La Sylphe” by Clappison & ‘Les Dragons de Villiers” by Maillart 1856 ,”Le Marriage Extravagant” by Gautier 1857 ,’Le Nid de Gigognes” by Vogl & ‘Les Chaises Porteurs ‘ by Masse 1858 ,”Le Diable au Moulin” Gevart 1859 ,”le Chateu Trompetti” by Gevart & “L’habit de Mylord” by Lagarde 1860 , ‘Le Jardinier Galant” by Poise 1861 , ‘Jose Maria” by Cohen 1866 , “Robinson Crusoe” ny Offenbach 1867 , “La fontaine de Berny” by Nibelle 1869 and ‘L’ourset le Pacha” by Brazin 1870 .He works also as a stage director from 1865 and from 1875 was a voice teacher at Conservatoire Paris

LOUIS HENRI OBIN 11/3/1820-11/11/1895 French Bass Studied at Conservatoire Lille and Paris with Louis Anton Patil and Levasseur.Debut grand Opera Paris 1844 Emiro ‘Otello” Rossini. He left shortly after and sang in Toulouse , Marseille and the Hague.He created Bacchoris “L’Enfant Prodigue” by Auber in 1850 , Nicephoris “Le Juifferant” by Halevy 1852 , Duc de Beaufort “La Fronde” by Niedermeyer 1853 , Procida ‘Les Vepres Siciliennes” by Verdi 1855,Nicanor “Herculanium ‘ by David 1859 , Brahma “L’Africane” Meyerbeer 1865 , Phillip II “Don Carlos” by Verdi 1867 .He left the Opea in 1869 .On January 1, 1870, he succeeded Lopez in the class of lyrical declamation (opera) at the Paris Conservatoire

as Marguerite 'Faust" Gounod GERALDINE FARRAR 1882-1967 American Soprano Started her vocal lessons with Mrs. J. H. Long in Boston in 1894. The 12-year-old Farrar also studied operatic acting and deportment with Victor Capoul, By the time she was 13 Farrar was living in New York City and studying with Emma Thursby , she was in Paris from 1899 to 1900, stuying with Trabadelo, a Spanish vocal coach, she went to Berlin to study with Francesco Graziani, In 1900 Farrar auditioned and won a three-year contract with the Berlin Hofoper Making her debut as Marguerite in Faust in 1901,After her contract in Berlin was up, Farrar moved to the Monte Carlo Opera, where she sang from about 1904 to 1906, making her Monte Carlo debut in Puccini's La Bohéme alongside costar Enrico Caruso. In 1905, Farrar sang in the premiere of " Amica" by Mascagni. She also appeared in Paris, Munich, Warsaw, and Salzburg,While she lived in Europe, Farrar continued to study with Lilli Lehmann.On opening night of the 1906-1907 season at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York City, Farrar made her debut with the company with which she would be associated for the rest of her career. In her debut, sher sang in "Roméo et Juliette" by Gounod. She appeared in the Met's first production of Puccini's Madama Butterfly, In 1910 at the world premiere of German composer Engelbert Humperdinck's " Köngiskinder" creating the role of the Goose Girl. In 1911, Farrar sang in the American premiere of Ariane et Barbe-bleue.Her final performance at the Met was in April 1922. She sang in Zazá by Leoncavallo