Deon van der Walt his debut as Almaviva in Rossini’s "The Barber of Seville". He was counted amongst the leading lyric tenors of his day and performed at all the world’s major opera houses, including He also performed at numerous international festivals, especially at the Salzburg Festival, where he sang Belmonte in Mozart's "Abduction from the Seraglio" and Ferrando in "Così fan tutte" under Riccardo Muti. On video, he can be seen in Handel's "Semele" as Jupiter, singing a long, beautifully shaped "Where'er you walk"; in Donizetti's "Linda di Chamounix" with Edita Gruberová; and in "La belle Hélène". Deon van der Walt died at
Marcella Sembrich Gye at Covent Garden and signed a contract there for five seasons. In June 1880 she created a sensation in her debut at Covent Garden as Lucia in Donizetti's "Lucia di Lammermoor". She became a great favorite in the characters of Zerlina, "Don Giovanni"; Susanna, "The Marriage of Figaro"; Konstanze, "The Abduction from the Seraglio"; Lady Harriet/Martha, "Martha"; and, of course, Lucia. In 1883, Marcella Sembrich went to the United States to sing in the newly founded Metropolitan Opera company. She made her Met debut as Lucia in the company premiere of "Lucia di Lammermoor" on October 24, 1883. She