ABSTRACT
This chapter presents a biography of mid- to late-19th-century Victorian vocalist Maria Louise Durand. She is one of those inexplicably forgotten American sopranos who – like Laura Harris and Lucy Escott – have disappeared into the shadows of the lionised Abbotts, Littas and Kelloggs, to whom she seems to have been unquestionably superior in talent and achievement. In 1875, Maria was announced as making a top-billed appearance in Dublin with the Carl Rosa company in 'her first appearance in English opera'. She also appeared in Il trovatore and Norma and won rave reviews for her Doña Sol in Ernani, alongside Ceppelletti and de Reszke: La nouvelle Norma, c'est Mme Maria Durand, une Française Italianisée, qu'on aimerait à entendre au Grand-Opéra. In 1883, Maria made her London debut, engaged by Gye for the company at Covent Garden alongside Patti, Albani and Pauline Lucca.
