A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Zandt, Marie van

by Alexis Chitty

ZANDT, VAN, Marie, born Oct 8, 1861, at New York, of American parents of Dutch extraction on the father's side. Her mother, Mrs. Jeanie van Zandt, was a singer, and formerly a member of the Royal Italian and Carl Rosa Companies. Marie was taught singing by Lamperti at Milan, and in 1879 made her début at Turin as Zerlina in 'Don Giovanni.' On May 3 of the same year, and in the same part, she made her first appearance at Her Majesty's. In that part, and in those of Cherubino and Amina, she was favourably received on account of the freshness of her voice and her unaffected style. On March 20, 1880, she appeared in Paris as Mignon, with such success that she was engaged by the Opéra Comique for a term of years, and became a great favourite. She also played there Cherubino, Dinorah, and Lakmé on the successful production of Delibes's opera of that name April 14, 1883. On Nov. 8, 1884, on the revival of Rossini's 'Barbiere,' Miss van Zandt was seized with a total extinction of voice arising from nervousness and physical prostration, in consequence of which calamity she was subjected to the most gross treatment and calumny by portions of the Parisian press and public. On leave of absence from Paris she played in the provinces, and at Copenhagen, Monte Carlo, and St. Petersburg, where she appeared Dec. 17, 1884, and during the season with great success. On her return to Paris in 1885 her position was rendered intolerable by hostile attacks, and she threw up her engagement. On June 6, 1885, she re-appeared in England at the Gaiety on the production of 'Lakmé,' and created a highly favourable impression in that and 'Mignon' and also in scenes from 'Dinorah' and 'Il Barbiere.' She has a soprano voice of more than two octaves in compass, from A below the line to F in alt., very sweet in quality, albeit of no power or volume, with considerable powers of execution. She is a pleasant actress, with great charm of manner, and should ultimately achieve a lasting success.

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