Reviving Verdi's "Ernani"

Sembrich as Ernani by Aimée Dupont. ca.1903. Photograph from The Sembrich Collection

“She [Sembrich] reigned right splendidly, and all the others in the cast were but humble followers of her courtly train. She overtopped them all by the supremacy of her beautiful style, the style of the old Italian school which bequeathed to the world operas of the "Ernani" type and the school for singing them.”

- WJ Henderson, New York Sun, 1903

Ernani, based on a drama by Victor Hugo, premiered in 1844 and quickly became one of Verdi’s most popular works. The opera’s heroine Elvira is an ideal role for sopranos, like Mme. Sembrich, trained in the Italian bel canto tradition. However, by 1900, the work was considered out of fashion and Ernani had been absent from the stage for several decades as the public’s taste turned to newer styles and works.

While recognized as one of her signature roles, Sembrich portrayed Elvira only four times in the US; during the Metropolitan Opera’s 1903 revival and company premiere. Today, the gown made for this revival (pictured) is among several complete opera costumes preserved in The Sembrich’s museum collection.

Listening Link:

Watch the video below to hear Ernani Involami, one of Mme. Sembrich’s signature arias, performed by soprano Anna Moffo (1932-2006). Moffo was a student of Euphemia Gregory, one of Sembrich’s first students at the Curtis Institute of Music who later joined the faculty.