De Lussan, Zélie (1861–1949)
De Lussan, Zélie (1861–1949)
American mezzo-soprano. Name variations: Zelie de Lussan. Born Dec 21, 1861 (some sources cite 1863), in Brooklyn, NY; died Dec 18, 1949, in London, England; dau. of Paul de Lussan and Eugénie de Lussan (singer); m. Angelo Fronani (pianist), 1907 (died 1918).
One of the classic Carmens (a role she is said to have sung some 1,000 times), made concert debut in NY at Chickering Hall (1878); performed with Augustus Harris' Italian Opera Company (Covent Garden, London) and Metropolitan Opera House (NY); toured with several companies; had greatest success in England, where she sang with Royal Opera at Covent Garden (1890–93, 1895–1900, 1902, 1903, 1910); had 3 command performances before Queen Victoria, singing in Daughter of the Regiment, Carmen and Fra Diavolo (1899–1900).