Marguerite D'alvarez (Mezzo-Soprano) (Liverpool 1886 - Alassio 1953)

She studied in Brussels and made her operatic début at Rouen as Delilah in 1907 or 1908. In 1909 she joined Oscar Hammerstein's Manhattan Opera Company, first appearing as Fidès in Le prophète. With the Boston Opera Company in 1913 she made a strong impression as the Mother in Ermanno Wolf-Ferrari's I gioielli della Madonna, and at Covent Garden in 1914 her Amneris in Aida won acclaim for the power, rich quality and ease of her singing. She appeared as Carmen at La Scala and as Léonor in La favorite at Marseilles. After 1918 she sang principally in concerts, specializing in French and Spanish song, and gave her last London recital in 1939. She appeared in the film Pandora and the Flying Dutchman (1951) and wrote a colourful autobiography, Forsaken Altars (London, 1954), published also as All the Bright Dreams (New York, 1956). Her recordings show an exceptionally rich and well-produced voice but are too few to do justice to her wide repertory.

Chronology of some appearances

Amneris 11/9/1909, Divonne 11/20/1909, Azucena 12/23/1909, Hçrodiade (in Filadelfia) 2/3/1910, 3/26/1910 (in Filadelfia)

RECORDINGS FOR SALE

Vocalion, New York 1921-04

Trovatore (Verdi): Ai nostri monti with Giulio Crimi 52011

HMV, Hayes 1925-07-17

Homing (del Riego) DA721 Bb6335

Victor, Camden NJ 1926-04-23

Samson et Dalila (Saint-Saëns): Printemps qui commence 6590 CVE34500

HMV, Hayes 1928-09-14

Samson et Dalila (Saint-Saëns): Mon coeur s'ouvre à ta voix DA1000 Bb14356

Carmen (Bizet): Près des remparts de Séville DA1000 Bb14357