Marchesi, Blanche (1863–1940)
Marchesi, Blanche (1863–1940)
French-born soprano . Name variations: Baroness A. Caccamisi. Born in Paris, France, in 1863; died in 1940; daughter of Marchese della Rajata Castone, a political refugee who adopted the nom de théâtre Salvatore Marchesi (1822–1908, an Italian baritone and composer) and Mathilde Marchesi (1826–1913); educated in Vienna, Frankfort, and Paris; married Baron Caccamisi.
Blanche Marchesi, the daughter of Mathilde Marchesi , was born in 1863 and made her first professional appearance in Berlin in 1895 as a concert singer. She then toured extensively in England and Europe; sang in operas at Covent Garden, Prague, Brussels, and elsewhere; appeared before Queen Victoria (from whom she received two decorations) and Queen Alexandra of Denmark , as well as the courts of Brussels and Germany; and was painted by Sargent, Shannon, and other well-known artists. Settling into a cottage she had built in Buckinghamshire, she had the largest private academy of singing in London; her pupils sang throughout the world.