World Opera Day 2023 - Revisiting The Sembrich's Legacy
Happy World Opera Day from The Sembrich! This special one-day event celebrates the vibrancy of opera in America and around the globe. On this auspicious occasion, we’re sharing with you a few facts about Mme. Marcella Sembrich and her lasting legacy on the operatic world!
Here are only a few of the highlights of Mme. Sembrich’s incredible career and legacy:
Mme. Sembrich was a prima donna in the Metropolitan Opera’s first season in 1883. During her final performance of the season, Sembrich stunned the audience with her equal abilities as a singer, violinist, and pianist.
During her tenure with the Metropolitan Opera, Sembrich premiered more roles with the company than any other singer in its history. She was also the famous stage counterpart of tenor Enrico Caruso from 1903-1909. She sang a total of 466 performances with the company from 1883-1909.
Sembrich was one of the first international stars of the opera to popularize solo recitals dedicated exclusively to art song. Her annual Carnegie Hall recital was a highlight event of the New York Musical season. This is also one of the first examples of the modern recital format, performing songs in chronological order and grouped by languages.
At the turn of the 20th century, Sembrich was one of the first voices to be recorded commercially! In 1900, her voice was recorded on the famous Mapleson Cylinders, some of the earliest recordings of operatic repertoire with orchestra. She would go on to record commercially for Columbia Records and the Victor Talking Machine Co.
Following her retirement from the operatic stage, Sembrich became one of the leading voice teachers of the time. In 1924, she became the founding director of the voice programs at New York’s Juilliard Graduate School and Philadelphia’s Curtis Institute of Music. This also made her the highest paid voice teacher in America at the time. Her work as a prolific teacher of voice helped guide the next generation of American vocal talent and many of her students achieved successful careers as teachers and singers.
You can learn more about Marcella Sembrich on our website! Use the link below to read more about Sembrich’s launch to international stardom in “Marcella Sembrich and the Role of a Lifetime.” This interactive article includes a recording by 2018 Sembrich Vocal Competition grand prize winner Polish-American soprano Alexandra Nowakowski, who herself is now covering several of Sembrich’s popular roles at the Metropolitan Opera