A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Zeretelew, Elizabeth

by Alexis Chitty

ZERETELEW, Elizabeth Andrejewna, the Princess of, née Lawrowskaja, well-known as Mme. Lawrowska, was born Oct. 12, 1845, at Kaschin, Twer, Russia. She was taught singing by Fenzi, at the Elizabeth Institute, and by Mme. Nissen-Saloman at the Conservatorium, St. Petersburg. In 1867 she made her début as Orfée at three performances of Glück's opera, given by the students of the Conservatorium under Rubinstein, at the Palace of the Grand Duchess Helena, thanks to whose kindness she was enabled to study abroad. From 1868–72 she was engaged at the Russian Opera-Theatre Marie, and in the mean time (viz. on July 31, 1871), she married the Prince Zeretelew. In 1868 she was announced to sing at the Italian Opera, Covent Garden, but did not appear. She left the opera for a time and sang in concerts all over Europe, having received further instruction from Mme. Viardot-Garcia. She visited this country in 1873, and made her first appearance Feb. 24 at the Monday Popular Concerts, and March 1 at Crystal Palace. During her stay she made a great impression by her grand mezzo soprano voice and fine declamatory powers of singing in operatic airs of Handel and Glinka, and in the Lieder of Schubert, Schumann, etc. In 1881 she reappeared in England in concerts, but for a very short period. In 1878 she returned to the St. Petersburg Opera, where we believe she is still engaged. The principal Russian operas in which she has performed are 'La Vie pour le Czar' and 'Russlan and Ludmila' of Glinka, 'Russalka' of Darjomizsky, and 'Wrazyia Silow' of Serow.

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