Emma Calvé (1858–1942) was regarded as the greatest singing actress at the beginning of this century. A student of Mathilda Marchesi, Calvé made her début at the Paris Opera in 1884. She was a regular guest at London’s Covent Garden and both the Metropolitan Opera and Manhattan Opera in New York. Admired by George Bernard Shaw, Calvé was renowned for her portrayal of Carmen. She also created the title rôles of Massenet’s Sapho and La navarraise. This CD features Calvé’s complete Victor recordings, including all alternative issued takes. As well as excerpts from Bizet’s Carmen (including a duet with Charles Dalmorès as Don Jose), Calvé performs arias from Mascagni’s Cavalleria rusticana, Massenet’s Hérodiade and David’s La perle du Brésil. Also featured is the historic recording, made three days before her death, of Calvé reading extracts from her autobiography.