Opera Scotland

Blanche Marchesi Suggest updates

Born Paris, 4 April 1863.

Died London, 15 December 1940.

French soprano.

Blanche Marchesi was the daughter and pupil of Mathilde Marchesi, a German mezzo-soprano who became a teacher of legendary stature, based in Paris, and mentor to Nellie Melba, Mary Garden and a host of other famous names.

Marchesi's debut, at an advanced age, came in 1900, as Brünnhilde in Prague.

In Britain she worked for a time with the Moody-Manners company, singing the title-role in the 1903 Scottish premiere of La gioconda.

Marchesi's concert career was also extensive. She later lived and taught in London.