A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Trebelli, Zelia
TREBELLI, Zelia, an operatic singer who took the public by storm, and stepped into the high position which she maintains to the present day.
Zelia Gilbert[1] was born in Paris in 1838. So early was her talent recognised that she was taught the piano at the age of six. Guided by her German teacher, she learnt to reverence and enjoy the works of Bach and Beethoven. After ten years her wish for instruction in singing was encouraged by her parents, who only thought thereby to add one other graceful accomplishment to those which were to render their daughter useful and acceptable in society. The services of Herr Wartel were secured, and so delighted was he with his clever pupil that he never rested until he had persuaded her parents to allow of his training her for the lyric stage. Five years of close study prepared for her début, which was made at Madrid as Mlle. Trebelli, under the most favourable circumstances and with complete success, Mario playing Almaviva to her Rosina, in 'Il Barbiere.'
Trebelli's appearances in the opera-houses of Germany were a series of brilliant triumphs. Public and critics were alike carried away by enthusiasm when they heard her rendering of the parts of Rosina, Arsace, Orsini, Urbano, Azucena and others. No member of Merelli's Italian troupe was gifted with so brilliant a voice and so much executive power. Nor could the audiences fail to be impressed by the actress's varied powers so rarely at the command of one individual, Trebelli expressing at one time the fire of an almost manly vigour, and at another the charm of womanly tenderness and delicacy. The German criticisms which declared the voice a contralto, comparing it with Alboni's in quality and with Schechner's in power, were not supported by English opinions. As a mezzo-soprano, its brilliancy, power and flexibility were appreciatively noticed; the artist's control over voice and action enthusiastically praised. Trebelli appeared first in London at her Majesty's Theatre, May 9th, 1862, as Orsini in 'Lucrezia.' 'A more encouraging reception has seldom been awarded to a débutante.' Since then, she has been a recognised favourite with our opera and concert audiences. Those who have long been familiar with her appearances in frequent co-operation with Mdlle. Titiens in the chief Italian operas, will not easily forget the performances of Oberon, where Trebelli's impersonation of the captive, Fatima, was invested with peculiar charm. More recent and more widely known is her rendering of the very opposite character of the heroine in 'Carmen.'
At the present time (1884) Madame Trebelli is making a tour through the United States with Mr. Abbey's troupe.
Madame Trebelli's marriage to Signor Bettini, about 1863, was, in a few years, followed by a separation.[ L. M. M. ]
- ↑ 'Trebelli' is obviously intended as the reverse of Gillebert.