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Francès Saville

K. u. k. Kammersängerin

Puppenarie

From Hoffmanns Erzählungen — Jacques Offenbach

♫ Gramophone Concert Record — G.C.-43240 — 1902 recording ♫

An early acoustic recording of Frances Saville in Olympia's Doll Aria, sung in German. Recorded in Vienna in 1902, it preserves the voice of a Marchesi-trained soprano associated with the Vienna Hofoper during Gustav Mahler's directorship.

◆ Details

Artist: K. u. k. Kammersängerin Francès Saville, as printed on the label.

Title: Puppenarie, aus „Hoffmanns Erzählungen“.

Composer: Jacques Offenbach.

Label: Gramophone Concert Record.

Catalogue number: G.C.-43240.

Matrix inscription: (o) 951 X-Bo-2z

Recorded: Vienna, 1902.

Genre: Opera.

Style: Coloratura soprano aria; historical vocal performance.

Language: German.

Frances Saville developed her early career in Australia before studying with the influential singing teacher Mathilde Marchesi in Paris. Her international career took her to Brussels, the Metropolitan Opera and Covent Garden, followed by an important period at the Vienna Hofoper.

Her years in Vienna coincided with Gustav Mahler's directorship. The title K. u. k. Kammersängerin printed on this label reflects her standing within the Austro-Hungarian court musical world. Her limited recorded legacy offers a valuable connection with the operatic singing of that period.

This 1902 recording belongs to the closing years of her stage career. Its interest lies in hearing an established late nineteenth-century soprano in repertoire that combines vocal agility with theatrical character, preserved through the acoustic recording process.

♫ Tracklist

• Puppen-Arie
  From Hoffmanns Erzählungen — Les Contes d’Hoffmann.
  Composer: Jacques Offenbach.
  Olympia's Doll Aria, sung in German.
  Performer: Francès Saville.
  Catalogue number: G.C.-43240.

Olympia's aria combines brilliant coloratura with the comic precision of a mechanical doll. Its vocal display is part of Offenbach's theatrical illusion: Hoffmann believes he is listening to a living woman, while the audience recognises the automaton.

◆ Personnel

• Francès Saville — soprano, credited as K. u. k. Kammersängerin.

◇ Technical details

Recording process: Acoustic.

Catalogue number: G.C.-43240.

Matrix inscription, as reported on this copy: (o) 951 X-Bo-2z

Discographic matrix reference: 951x.

Company: The Gramophone and Typewriter Ltd.

Manufacturing credit: The label also includes “and Sister Companies.”

Label heading: GRAMOPHONE CONCERT RECORD.

Label identification: GERMAN — SOPRANO.

Location printed on the label: WIEN.

The full inscription supplied for this copy is preserved without interpreting its additional symbols. The year 1902 refers to the documented recording date; the manufacturing date of this individual copy has not been established.

◆ Condition

Record condition: VG+++ — visually graded.

Visual condition: Slight surface marks.

Playback: Not confirmed.

Please examine the photograph for the appearance of the label and the visible record surface.

◆ Buy with confidence

• The visual grade and surface marks are clearly described.
• Historical label credits and the reported matrix inscription are transcribed with attention to detail.
• Careful handling and protective packaging specifically designed for fragile shellac records.
• Of particular interest to collectors of Frances Saville, Offenbach, coloratura sopranos and early operatic recordings.

◇ Shipping

• Secure and robust packaging specifically suitable for fragile shellac records.
• Combined shipping available for multiple purchases.
• Airmail priority, insured, and tracking number provided.

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Historical Record Collection

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◇ Keywords

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