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Biography: Alda, Frances

Alda performing Massenet's "Manon"

Hear Frances Alda singing the gavotte from Massenet's Manon, in a 1912 cylinder recording. It was Alda's ability to project consistently in these pre-electric recordings that caused her to stand out. (2 min 46 sec)

Using this item

Sound Archives / Ngā Taonga Kōrero

Reference: GEM104

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How to cite this page

Adrienne Simpson. 'Alda, Frances', Dictionary of New Zealand Biography, first published in 1996. Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/speech/88/alda-performing-massenets-manon (accessed 28 June 2026).