Galli-Marié, Célestine (1840–1905)
Galli-Marié, Célestine (1840–1905)
French mezzo-soprano. Name variations: Celestine Laurence Galli-Marie. Born Célestine Marié d'Isle in November 1840 in Paris, France; died on September 22, 1905, in Vence, France; studied with her father, Felix Mécène Marié d'Isle, in Strasbourg.
Debuted in Strasbourg (1859); appeared in Lisbon (1861) and Rouen (1862); debuted at the Opéra-Comique in Paris (1862); created Thomas' Mignon (1866) and Bizet's Carmen (1875).
Célestine Galli-Marié did not possess an exceptional voice. Described as having no range or volume, it did, however, have an exceptional timbre which was combined with clear diction and fine musical phrasing. She had a great ability to create characters on the opera stage, and her dramatic talent established her reputation. After Galli-Marié appeared in Rouen in 1862, the director of the Paris Opéra-Comique invited her to perform in his theater. From 1862 until 1902, her contribution to the Paris Opéra-Comique was considered to be of "incontestable dramatic worth." Galli-Marié created several operatic roles which include Mignon in Ambroise Thomas' opera of the same name; the roles of Taven and Andrelou in Mireille; and Dorothée in Cendrillon. She was most famous, however, for her creation of Carmen. She performed this opera over 100 times between 1875 and 1883.
John Haag , Athens, Georgia