3-053-680 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Mdlle. Ilma de Murska, 1873. Engraving from a photograph by Messrs. Elliott and Fry. 'This admirable artist - a native of Hungary - first appeared in London at Her Majesty's Theatre...in 1865, as Lucia, a character which is still one of the most attractive among her many and varied representations. There are, however, other parts requiring an exceptionally high range of voice, which is possessed by very few singers to such extent as by Mdlle. de Murska...The music for the Queen of Night, in Mozart's "Die Zauber-flöte" ("II Flauto Magico"), is an instance of this, having been written specially for a singer of the time who possessed a rare command of the highest soprano notes - the aria "Gl'angui" extending to F in alt. Not only in this opera, but also in various others, has the exceptional value of Mdlle. de Murska been proved, here as well as abroad, and with a recent development of vocal and dramatic power that we have already commented on...Special mention is due to the performance by this accomplished artist of the character of Senta in "L'Olandese Dannato," (the Italian version of Wagner's "Der Fliegende Hollander"), which was brought out at the Drury Lane Opera during the temporary management of Mr. George Wood, in 1870'. From "Illustrated London News", 1873.