Lussan, Zelie de

1863

Popular American singer; born in New York. Her parents were French and her mother had been well known as a singer and vocal teacher. She received much instruction from her mother and continued her study abroad, making her first appearance at nine years of age. After singing at Wagner Festivals she returned to America and was a member of the Boston Ideal Opera Company from 1885 to 1888. The next year she went to London as a member of the Carl Rosa opera troupe and was enthusiastically received. At first a protegee  of Patti s she soon won an envied position for herself in the musical world. Beautiful, piquant, magnetic she has charmed many with her grace and vivacity. Her time has been spent in both Europe and America. In 1894 she appeared at the Metropolitan Opera House, New York, and the two following years she sang in Spain, Portugal and France. She appeared in this country in 1897 and 1899 and in 1902 made a triumphant tour here. She has been a favorite in the Grau and the Damrosch-Ellis companies. Her great roles are Carmen and Mignon and she has also been very popular as Musette in La Boheme, Marie in La Fille du Regiment, Zerlina in Don Giovanni, and Marguerite in Berlioz's Damnation of Faust. She married Angelo Fourni, son of Portugal's vice-consul in Washington.