A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Murska, Ilma de

MURSKA, Ilma de, a native of Croatia, born about 1843 [App. p.820 "1836"], and taught singing at Vienna and Paris by Madame and Signor Marchesi; made her début in opera at the Pergola, Florence, in 1862, sang at Pesth, Berlin, Hamburg, etc.; obtained an engagement in Vienna and appeared in London at Her Majesty's Theatre, as Lucia, May 11, 1865. She played also Linda, Amina, and Astrifiammante, and sang at the Philharmonic May 29, and always with great applause. Between this date and 1873 she acted and sang repeatedly in London, at Her Majesty's, Covent Garden, and Drury Lane, returning to the continent in the off seasons. One of her most congenial parts and best achievements was Senta in the 'Ollandese dannato,' July 23, 1870. Between 1873 and 1876 she visited America, Australia, New Zealand, etc., returning to this country in 1879. Her voice is a soprano of nearly three octaves compass, with great execution. Her acting is brilliant and original, though sometimes bordering on extravagance. Her parts, besides those mentioned, include Dinorah, Isabella, Ophelia, Marguerite de Valois, Gilda, Marta, Filine, etc. [App. p.820 "date of death, Jan. 14, 1889. She married (1) Dec. 29, 1875, Alfred Anderson, at Sydney; and (2) May 15, 1876, J. T. Hill at Otago."]

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