Story: Classical musicians

Frances Alda as Micaela, 1914

Frances Alda as Micaela, 1914

Although she became established as the leading soprano at the Metropolitan Opera in New York, Frances Alda did not escape critical reviews. Of her performance as Micaela in Bizet's Carmen in 1914, an anonymous reviewer stated 'the part of Micaela has never before been sung at the Metropolitan less beautifully and touching than it was by Mme. Alda; neither did she look the part or act it well.' Audiences disagreed, and her portrayal was widely admired.

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The Metropolitan Opera Archives
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How to cite this page:

Peter Walls, 'Classical musicians - Operatic beginnings', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/45392/frances-alda-as-micaela-1914 (accessed 29 March 2024)

Story by Peter Walls, published 22 Oct 2014