Country

:

Poland

Birth

:

February 15, 1858 in Wisniewczyk, Poland

Death

:

January 11, 1935 in New York City, NY

Period

:

Classical

 

 

Romantic

Genre

:

Opera

 

 

Vocal

 

Marcella Sembrich was a renowned Polish-American soprano and one of the most celebrated classical music artists of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Born on February 15, 1858, in the town of Wiśniowa, Poland, she was the daughter of a musician and began her musical training at a young age. Her father, Józef Kochański, was a violinist and conductor, and her mother, Joanna, was a singer. Sembrich showed an early talent for music and began studying piano and violin at the age of six. At the age of 12, Sembrich began studying voice with Wilhelm Stengel, a well-known vocal coach in Lviv, Ukraine. She made her debut as a singer at the age of 18, performing in a concert in Lviv. Her talent was immediately recognized, and she was soon invited to perform in concerts throughout Europe. In 1883, Sembrich made her operatic debut in Athens, Greece, as Elvira in Don Giovanni. She quickly gained a reputation as one of the most talented sopranos of her time, and her performances were praised for their beauty, power, and emotional depth. She went on to perform in some of the most prestigious opera houses in Europe, including La Scala in Milan, the Royal Opera House in London, and the Paris Opera. In 1888, Sembrich made her debut at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City, where she quickly became a favorite of audiences and critics alike. She performed in a wide range of operas, including Mozart's The Marriage of Figaro, Verdi's Rigoletto, and Puccini's La Bohème. Her performances were noted for their technical brilliance, musicality, and dramatic intensity. Sembrich was also a gifted recitalist and performed in concerts throughout the United States and Europe. She was known for her ability to sing in multiple languages, including Italian, French, German, and Polish. She was also a skilled pianist and often accompanied herself during her recitals. Throughout her career, Sembrich received numerous awards and honors for her contributions to classical music. In 1909, she was awarded the Gold Medal of the Royal Philharmonic Society in London, and in 1910, she was made a Commander of the Order of Polonia Restituta by the Polish government. She was also awarded honorary degrees from several universities, including Columbia University and the University of Wisconsin. Sembrich continued to perform well into her 60s, and her final performance was in 1917, at the age of 59. She retired from the stage and settled in Lake George, New York, where she taught voice and piano at her summer home. She also established the Marcella Sembrich Opera Museum, which housed her extensive collection of opera memorabilia. Sembrich died on January 11, 1935, at the age of 76. She was remembered as one of the greatest sopranos of her time, and her legacy continues to inspire generations of classical music artists.

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