Blanche Manley, Opera Singer - 1915

A Grand Opera Singer

Miss Manley, a Norwich Girl, Achieves Success After Foreign Study

Utica Saturday Globe, October 1913

 

 

Blanche E. Manley

Norwich [Chenango Co., NY]:  An event of great interest among the music lovers of Norwich and of neighboring towns is the recital to be given Monday evening by Miss Blanche E. Manley at the Congregational Chruch under the auspices of the Monday Evening Musical Club.  This will be Miss Manley's first appearance in her native place since studying under some of the great masters in Europe, and it is appropriate that the Monday Evening Club, organized to bring out the best in home talent, should become her sponsor.

 

Miss Manley is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Anthony V. Manley, of South Broad street.  While a student in Norwich High School from which she graduated in 1907 she studied music with Mrs. Nettie C. Mitchell who recognized her unusual talent and urged its highest development. This Miss Manley and her family were eager to undertake.  She studied for a year under Prof. Franz Arens, of New York city, who was so impressed with the possibilities of her voice that under his suggestion Miss Manley in 1910 went to Florence, Italy, where for two years she was under the instruction of Vincenzo Lombardi.  This was followed by a season in Paris under Prof. Boohey, another of the great European masters.  While singing in Paris, Miss Manley was heard by Prof. Henry Russell, director of grand opera in Boston, who at once engaged her to sing in America.  Her first appearance in grand opera was in Boston with Mary Garden in Thais.  She has sung in other well known opera, including Louise, Jewell's Madonna, Foret Bleue, Martha and Tosca.  In addition to her native tongue, Miss Manley speaks French, Italian and German fluently.

 

Miss Manley has appeared in concerts in Paris, New York, Boston and other musical centers.  While in Italy she sang in a duet with an Italian tenor at a reception given Madame Sembrich at the studio of Vincenzo Lombardi in Florence.  Her opening number next Monday evening, Fly Away Fly, was dedicated to Miss Manley by the author, Jean Paul Kursteiner.  An added feature of the program will be the return engagement of Edward Rechlin the organist, who has delighted Norwich audiences and will be accorded a hearty welcome.  The concert is attracting  unusual attention, not alone from Norwich people, but from lovers of music from surrounding towns.  Miss Manley is honoring her home town and the residents in turn will be gratified at this opportunity of honoring her.