Marcella Sembrich (1858-1935)

Casta diva
Norma by Vincenzo Bellini

Marcella Sembrich was born in Poland. She was an excellent pianist and violinist, probably one of the finest musicians among all the singers of history, and an artist of the most discriminating taste. She holds a lesser place in the history of great singers because her vocal prime preceded the decline of Patti and it was past when Melba's ascendancy began. Sembrich retired from the Met in 1909, then concertized for a few years, eventually settling in New York and continuing her career as a teacher at Julliard and the Curtis Institute. Her summer studio is now open to the public as the Marcella Sembrich Opera Museum.

This recording is a bit worn, and as with most acoustic recordings, plays better on the old acoustic machine than on the modern electric turntable with amplifier. Listening to this recording of a recording is like listening through a wall, but I think you can still discern the beauty of Sembrich's voice and the artistry of the line.