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Marcella SembrichPolish singer, coloratura soprano
Date of Birth: 15.02.1858
Country:  Poland |
Content:
Biography of Marcella Sembrich
Marcella Sembrich was a Polish singer and coloratura soprano. She was born in 1858 in the Polish village of Wisniewczyk, which was then part of Austrian Galicia and is now in Ukraine. Her birth name was Marcelina Kochanska. Sembrich showed musical talent at a young age, learning to play the piano at the age of 4 and the violin at the age of 6. Her father was her first violin teacher.
She later became a student at the Lviv Conservatory, where she studied piano under Wilhelm Stengel, who would later become her husband. From 1875 to 1877, Sembrich studied piano at the Vienna Conservatory under Julius Epstein. It was during this time that her exceptional vocal talent was discovered, and she began studying singing with Viktor Rokitansky. After a year of studying with Rokitansky, Sembrich made her debut in the role of Elvira in Bellini's "I puritani" at the Athens Opera. Her deep coloratura soprano voice, with its wide range and expressive qualities, was immediately recognized, and her performances showcased her incredible sense of style.
Sembrich was scheduled to appear at the Vienna Opera after her performances in Athens, but had to cancel the contract due to her pregnancy. After the birth of her first son, Wilhelm Marcel, she continued to perfect her craft, studying German repertoire in Vienna under Richard Lewey. Although returning to the opera stage proved challenging initially, Sembrich eventually signed a contract with the Dresden Royal Opera House in 1878 and made her debut as Lucia.
Her success in Dresden was tremendous, and she quickly became a favorite of the audience. She joined the main company and remained there until 1880. Sembrich then left Dresden and embarked on a career in London. She signed a five-season contract with Covent Garden and made a sensation in June 1880 with her performance in Donizetti's "Lucia di Lammermoor."
Sembrich became a favorite of the audience in roles such as Zerlina in "Don Giovanni," Susanna in "The Marriage of Figaro," and Konstanze in "The Abduction from the Seraglio." However, her most popular role remained Lucia. In 1883, she traveled to the United States to sing with the newly formed Metropolitan Opera company. She once again captivated the audience with her performances as Lucia and also sang roles such as Elvira in "I Puritani," Violetta in "La Traviata," and Amina in "La Sonnambula." Sembrich appeared on the Metropolitan Opera stage approximately 500 times, remaining with the company until the end of the decade.
Overall, Sembrich performed more than 40 opera roles and received acclaim in opera houses throughout Germany, Spain, Russia, France, and Scandinavian countries. After retiring from the stage, Sembrich taught at the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia and the Juilliard School of Music in New York. She was highly regarded as a pedagogue, and many of her students went on to become famous performers.
Sembrich was a devoted Polish patriot throughout her life. During World War I, she served as the president of the American-Polish Relief Committee of New York, dedicating herself to raising money, food, and clothing for her fellow countrymen in need.
