Mercedes Capsir (Soprano) Barcelona, Spain 1895 - Suzzara, Italy 1969)

She studied (piano, composition, voice) at the Music Conservatory in Barcelona, before making her debut in Genora, in 1913, as Gilda in ''Rigoletto'', a role she will remain closely associated with throughout her career.

In 1916, she made her debut at the Liceo in Barcelona, the Teatro Real in Madrid, the "Teatro Nacional San Carlos" in Lisbon, the Teatro Colon in Buenos Aires, as well as at the Paris Opera in 1917. Gilda was her debut role at all these opera houses.

Her Italian debut took place in Bologna, as Rosina in ''Il barbiere di Siviglia'', followed by Elvira in ''I puritani'', in Venice, opposite Giacomo Lauri-Volpi, she also appeared in Rome, before reaching La Scala in Milan, in 1924, again as Gilda, opposite baritone Carlo Galeffi and tenor Miguel Fleta, and conducted by Arturo Toscanini.

Capsir sang mainly in Europe, and in a very limited repertory, other roles included: Amina in ''La Sonnambula'', ''Lucia in Lucia di Lammermoor'', and Violetta in ''La traviata''. She took part in performances of Giordano's ''Il Re'' at La Scala in 1929.

Capsir retired from the stage in 1949, her final performance took place at the Liceo in Barcelona, as Carolina in ''Il matrimonio segreto'', and then turned to teaching. She died, aged 73, in Suzzara (Lombardy, Italy).

Chronology of some appearances

1916 Madrid  Teatro Reale Boheme (Mimi)

1917 Lisbona  Coliseo Recrejos Barbiere di Siviglia (Rosina)

1918  Barcellona  Teatro Bosque Barbiere di Siviglia (Rosina)

1918  Barcellona  Teatro Bosque Boheme (Mimi)

1919 Bologna  Teatro Apollo Barbiere di Siviglia (Rosina)

1920 Genova  Teatro Paganini Barbiere di Siviglia (Rosina)

1920  Citt  del Messico  Teatro Esperanza Iris Carmen (Micaela)

1923 Montecarlo  Teatro del Casinâ Boheme (Mimi)

1932 Roma  Teatro dell'Opera Don Pasquale (Norina)

1933 Bergamo Teatro Donizetti Don Pasquale (Norina)

RECORDINGS FOR SALE

HMV, Milano 1924-04-27

Rigoletto (Verdi): Addio speranzo ed anima with Ferdinando Ciniselli DA619 7-54030

Columbia, Milano 1929?

Boheme (Puccini): Mi chiamano mimi  WBX 486

Dinorah (Meyerbeer): Ombra leggiera D18067 WBX 470?

Dinorah (Meyerbeer): Ma giа tu t'ascondi D18067 WBX471