Marcella Sembrich

**Marcella Sembrich** was a powerhouse Polish soprano who dazzled opera audiences in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Born in 1858 (as Prakseda Marcelina Kochańska), she trained as a pianist and violinist before pivoting to voice, becoming a star coloratura known for her sparkling high notes and technical precision. She rocked stages across Europe and the U.S., earning fame for roles like Lucia in *Lucia di Lammermoor* and the Queen of the Night in *The Magic Flute*. Her legacy lives on through rare early recordings (like those listed here, cut between 1906–1912), which capture her vibrant artistry during the dawn of the recording era.

After retiring from performing, Sembrich became a respected voice teacher, mentoring the next generation of singers until her death in 1935. Fun fact: She’s one of the few opera legends whose voice you can *actually* still hear today, thanks to those historic wax cylinders and discs. A true trailblazer of classical music’s golden age!

Genres