The Biographical Dictionary of America/Albani, Marie Emma LaJeunesse

ALBANI, Marie Emma LaJeunesse, singer, was born at Chambly, Lower Canada, Sept. 18, 1851. Her parents were French-Canadians. She manifested unusual talent at a very early age, and it was encouraged by her father, who was a skilled musician. When only twelve years old she was awarded a gold medal for musical composition from the Montreal convent at which she received her education. From Montreal her father removed to Albany, N. Y., taking with him his now motherless daughter. He was unable to give her the training which her very fine voice deserved, but she obtained a place in the cathedral choir, where her singing attracted much attention, as it did in concerts, in which she not only sang but played on both the piano and harp. With the proceeds of a concert given for her benefit she was sent to Europe, where she studied in Paris with Duprez, being enabled to do so through the generosity of Baroness Lafitte. Afterwards she went to Italy, where she was taught by Lamperti. It was by the influence of the latter that she made her debut in Messina in 1870 as Amina. This was the starting point of her great success. She adopted the name Albani at her debut, thus honoring the city where her musical talent was first encouraged. She sang at Malta and Florence, successfully producing "Mignon," which had been a failure in four theatres in Italy. She then went to London, where she appeared in the royal Italian opera, thence to St. Petersburg and Paris, when she visited the United States, where in 1874-'75 she sang under Strakosch in opera. She afterward returned to Europe, where her success was phenomenal. She was married in 1878 to Ernest Gye, manager of the royal Italian opera in London. In 1882 she sang the soprano part of Gounod's "Redemption" before the composer, and he was prompted to write expressly for her "Mors et Vita," in which she appeared in 1885. Lamperti called her "the most accomplished musician and the most finished singer" that ever left his studio. She visited America again in 1883, but returned to London, where she made her home.