Sembrich Retires from Opera
This photograph (left; from The Sembrich Collection) was used for this 1936 painting (right) by Alice Ruggles Sohier which hangs in the lobby of the Metropolitan Opera.
On this day, 113 years ago, Mme. Sembrich announced her retirement from the Metropolitan Opera with whom she spent the majority of her career. Sembrich was among the first artists to perform with the company in 1883 and appeared a total of 466 times throughout her tenure. When asked why she was leaving the stage she stated:
“I wish to make my adieux while the sun is still high in the heavens - that is all.”
- Marcella Sembrich, 1908
She continued to appear in concert, dazzling audiences with her favorite arias and art songs, until her retirement from public performance in 1917.
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