Sybil Sanderson (December 7, 1865 - May 16, 1903), born in Sacramento, California, in the United States, was a famous operatic soprano during the Parisian Belle Époque.
Her father, a wealthy gold miner who later became the Chief Justice of California, died while she was still a child. Using the money left to them, she and her mother moved to Paris and became transplanted socialites. Sanderson proved to be a remarkably gifted singer and began to a...
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Sybil Sanderson (December 7, 1865 - May 16, 1903), born in Sacramento, California, in the United States, was a famous operatic soprano during the Parisian Belle Époque.
Her father, a wealthy gold miner who later became the Chief Justice of California, died while she was still a child. Using the money left to them, she and her mother moved to Paris and became transplanted socialites. Sanderson proved to be a remarkably gifted singer and began to appear on the stages of the Opéra-Comique, and later Opéra, in Paris, most notably in the works of Jules Massenet. She was his favorite soprano and appeared in the premieres of a number of his operas, the roles having been created for her unique talents (her professional debut took place in Paris in the title role in Esclarmonde).
She was also a famous interpreter of Manon, Massenet's most enduring opera. Sanderson was also admired by Camille Saint-Saëns, who wrote the title role in Phryné for her. Success outside of Paris was elusive for...
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