American-born mezzo-soprano Zelie de Lussan was taught by her mother, herself a singer, and first appeared on stage at the age of nine. She gave public concerts when 16 and made her official stage debut at Boston in 1884, as Arline in Balfe’s The Bohemian Girl. In 1888 she sang in London as Carmen, a role she is said to have sung more than 1000 times, and in which many considered her the equal of Calvé. She also became famous for her Zerlina in Don Giovanni, and in 1897 was London’s first Musetta in Puccini’s La bohème. Her Metropolitan debut in 1894 as Carmen was no less successful, and she appeared there for a further three seasons in roles including Nannetta, Zerlina and Nedda. In 1910 she sang Cherubino in Beecham’s Mozart season at His Majesty’s and Gertrude in Hamlet at Covent Garden. She also worked with smaller companies such as the Carl Rosa and Moody-Manners, with which she sang until 1913. She taught for many years in England, retaining the vitality and charm of her personality well into old age. Her recordings are few but show something of her rich voice and lively temperament. (J.B. Steane)
This is an ancient Victor acoustic recording, hence the piano accompaniment and excessive surface noise. But de Lussan’s sumptuous mezzo manages to peek through.