Among the thousands of photographs taken by Lake George photographer Fred Thatcher (1881-1969) are dozens of images of Marcella Sembrich (1858-1935), internationally celebrated Metropolitan Opera star and teacher at The Curtis Institute of Music and the Juilliard School, who summered in Bolton Landing from 1922-1934. Explore the history of her lakeside studio through newly digitized photographs, some unseen for nearly a century.
Fred Thatcher (1881-1969)
Born in 1881, Fred Thatcher was the son of well-known Bolton Landing photographer Jule Thatcher, who had his studio on Sagamore Road. Fred Thatcher opened his own studio south of the lake in the Village of Lake George on the corner of Canada Street and Beach Road. Thatcher took thousands of photos of Lake George and its residents, visiting celebrities, regattas, hotels, sea planes, stagecoaches, automobiles, and residences. In 2010, his grandchildren donated the entire archive of Thatcher's photographic work to the Historical Society of the Town of Bolton. The archive spans from about 1880-1950 and includes images by both Jule and Fred Thatcher. Within the archive are photographs of celebrities including President Theodore Roosevelt, Polish-American Soprano Marcella Sembrich, American Contralto Louise Homer, and several other noted politicians and celebrities. Thanks to a special loan of archive materials, The Sembrich is able to present a special collection of newly digitized images relating to Madame Marcella Sembrich and her time in the Lake George area.
The Sembrich Studio
For almost a century The Sembrich Studio has looked out over Huddle Bay on Lake George. Following her retirement from the stage in 1917, Marcella Sembrich began to teach promising young singers. During the summer, some students would travel to Lake George for several weeks of study with the renowned opera star. Sembrich purchased her estate on Lake George in 1922 and immediately set to creating her own musical colony in Bolton Landing. Architect Arthur Mannix designed a new teaching studio according to Sembrich's desires and construction began in 1923. The following fall, Sembrich took on teaching positions at both The Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia and at The Juilliard Graduate School in New York. These students, along with several of Sembrich's private students received summer instruction in the teaching studio beginning in the summer of 1925.
From the Lake George Mirror (July 4, 1925) by The Lake George MirrorThe Sembrich
Schermerhorn Construction was employed by Madame Sembrich for numerous construction projects on her estate including building the studio, renovations to the home, landscaping, and the construction of two additional residences.
The Sembrich Studio from Huddle Bay (1925) by Fred Thatcher (1881-1969)The Sembrich
The lakeside studio was completed in 1924. The building was set over an old boat launch and the ground level raised to create small a terrace in front of the building.
Sembrich and Teaching Studio (East Wall) (1925) by Fred Thatcher (1881-1969)The Sembrich
The completed studio was a rectangular stucco-walled building with a rustic stone fireplace constructed in the Spanish Revival style.
From the Lake George Mirror: New Buildings at Madame Sembrich's Summer Home (June 28, 1925) by The Lake George MirrorThe Sembrich
The furnishings for the newly completed studio were provided in part by local Glens Falls company Wilmarth & Sons. The store was located at 17 Ridge Street in downtown Glens Falls.
In a Beautiful Setting
"Situated on the extreme limit of her estate and built on a wooded peninsula commanding a superb view of the lake and the surrounding mountains, stands Mme. Sembrich's studio, flanked by pine and birch trees. The walls are adorned with Renaissance bas-reliefs and the principal door is crowned with a lunetta, a fine reproduction of a Madonna by Rosellino, which Adolfo Betti, the leader of the Flonzaley Quartet, obtained for her recently in Tuscany... " - from "Where Sembrich Works in the Summer" by Ugo Ara. New York Times: 09/18/1927, Page 8)
In a Beautiful Setting
"... It is here that Mme. Sembrich works and gives her lessons. No one is allowed, during the busy hours, to trespass beyond the threshold of the door. In the studio, which holds about 100 persons, also take place the afternoon musical and social affairs which are followed with keen interest by the residents of the region." - from "Where Sembrich Works in the Summer" by Ugo Ara. New York Times: 09/18/1927, Page 8)
The Sembrich Studio (View from South Entrance) (1925) by Fred Thatcher (1881-1969)The Sembrich
The studio interior featured a fireplace, large casement windows, and a raised ceiling with special molding to resemble heavy wooden beams. The studio also boasted electricity and running water.
Marcella Sembrich Sits in her Studio (1925) by Fred Thatcher (1881-1969)The Sembrich
The bas reliefs (della Robia) described by Ugo Ara can be seen in this photograph. They still hang in the same location to this day.
Marcella Sembrich in her Studio (1925) by Fred Thatcher (1881-1969)The Sembrich
This photo shows where Thatcher altered the negative by etching flames into the fireplace.
The Sembrich Studio (View from North Entrance) (1925) by Fred Thatcher (1881-1969)The Sembrich
The southern wall once opened onto a large glass porch. Fan windows were placed above the French doors to create a Palladian-style window.
Marcella Sembrich and Students at Lakeside Studio (1928-1932) by Fred Thatcher (1881-1969)The Sembrich
Sembrich made several alterations to the building including an addition to the back of the studio. Today this space houses costume displays, a museum room, a restroom, and storage facilities.
Sembrich and Jirak (1925) by Fred Thatcher (1881-1969)The Sembrich
The glass porch was enclosed following the summer of 1930. The walls were plastered and painted to match the existing stucco siding. Josephine Jirak (pictured standing below) attended summer sessions both before and after the renovations.
Marcella Sembrich and Students at Lakeside Studio (1928-1931) by Fred Thatcher (1881-1969)The Sembrich
One image shows Sembrich and her students with the newly enclosed "Bay Room." When first enclosed, the front wall facing the lake still had an entrance with a window on either side.
The 12 panel window shown here was replaced with a door of the same style in the early 2000s to facilitate emergency egress.
Teaching the Next Generation
Students came from across the United States and Europe to study with Sembrich. Between 1924 and 1935, at least 11 leading singers were students of Marcella Sembrich. Dusolina Giannini (pictured standing) was one of the first of Madame Sembrich's students to take lessons in the studio. Giannini later saw success across Europe and the United States including on the stage of The Metropolitan Opera.
Sembrich at her Lakeside Studio (1925) by Fred Thatcher (1881-1969)The Sembrich
Harriet Eels (right) and Marcella Sembrich (left) stand together at the studio. Eels was a private student of Sembrich and also among the first students to enjoy the newly completed studio in 1925.
Marcella Sembrich in her Studio (1925) by Fred Thatcher (1881-1969)The Sembrich
The studio possesses incredible acoustic properties. Countless performances have been held in the studio since the days Madame Sembrich taught here. Performances and program presentations continue to this day
Sembrich at the Steinway in her Bolton Studio (1925) by Fred Thatcher (1881-1969)The Sembrich
The 1905 Steinway Sembrich purchased for the studio is still used in performances to this day. Sembrich was not only a gifted singer but also a gifted violinist and pianist. Her library in the studio features numerous works for solo instruments and chamber ensembles in addition to operas and art songs.
From the Lake George Mirror: The Lake George Club (September 6, 1925) by The Lake George MirrorThe Sembrich
Sembrich's student musicales were the highlight of the season for many local organizations on Lake George. Social events were also held at the studio and included dinners at her cottage Bay View.
The Studio After Sembrich
Madame Marcella Sembrich passed away on January 11, 1935 in her home in New York City. For two years following her death, daughter-in-law Juliette de Coppet Stengel sold a majority of the Bay View estate, but kept the teaching studio and the surrounding 4.5-acre parcel. At the same time she was busy at work converting the studio into a memorial to the late Madame Sembrich. Thatcher photographed the studio on several occasions following its conversion to a museum.
The Sembrich Studio (View from the Southwest Entrance) (1951) by Fred Thatcher (1881-1969)The Sembrich
In 1937 the studio was opened to the public as the Marcella Sembrich Memorial Studio, preserving the legacy of Marcella Sembrich.
The Sembrich Studio (Interior Western Wall) (1951) by Fred Thatcher (1881-1969)The Sembrich
The enclosed "Bay Room" was converted to a display room showcasing furniture, books, and letters from Madame Sembrich's collection.
The Sembrich Studio View from the Bay Window (1931-37) by Fred Thatcher (1881-1969)The Sembrich
The exterior entrance to the bay room was replaced with a large picture window which still offered a sweeping view of Huddle Bay. The windows to either side of the door were covered to offer more wall space.
The Sembrich Studio Museum Room (1951) by Fred Thatcher (1881-1969)The Sembrich
The rear addition was enlarged to include two museum display rooms, bathroom, and storage facilities. The rear porch was also enclosed and made into an entry way and display area.
The Sembrich Studio Costume Room (1951) by Fred Thatcher (1881-1969)The Sembrich
Following the building renovations the space was filled with artifacts from Sembrich's career. Among the collection's highlights are a number of original opera costumes worn on stages around the United States and Europe.
The Sembrich Studio (View from Southeast Entrance) (1951) by Fred Thatcher (1881-1969)The Sembrich
In 1940, the property was conveyed to the Marcella Sembrich Memorial Association and the organization was charged with the operation and preservation of the studio, grounds, and collections.
The Sembrich Studio (View from North Entrance) (1951) by Fred Thatcher (1881-1969)The Sembrich
The Sembrich has been opened to visitors every summer since 1937. The space continues to honor the late Marcella Sembrich and host performances of talented musicians from around the globe.
Exhibition curated by Caleb Eick. This digital exhibition is supported by generous funding from Stewart's/Dake Family. This exhibition was made possible by research completed by Stephen Herx and through the kind partnership of the Historical Society of the Town of Bolton. Images in this exhibit come from The Sembrich Collection and the Thatcher Archive at the Historical Society of the Town of Bolton. All photos from the Thatcher Archive are used with permission from the Historical Society of the Town of Bolton.
The Marcella Sembrich Memorial Association honors international opera singer Marcella Sembrich at her former teaching studio and woodland retreat on Lake George. Our mission is to: preserve and protect the museum collection, historical significance and legacy of Marcella Sembrich; foster an appreciation for classical music, opera and the arts; provide educational and performance opportunities to promote the study of classical music.
Listed on the National Historic Register, The Sembrich was once part of the summer estate of Polish-American opera singer Marcella Sembrich (1857-1935), a leading prima donna at The Metropolitan Opera and head of the voice faculties for the Juilliard School and The Curtis Institute of Music. Sembrich spent summers on Lake George in upstate New York, bringing her students to study with her and enjoy the Adirondack mountain landscape.
Following her death in 1935, Sembrich’s teaching studio was preserved as a museum displaying her legacy, her contributions to the world of music, and exhibits relating to local and musical history. Step into America’s “Gilded Age” and explore our museum and historic studio. This unique building is one of a few from the early twentieth century in northern New York that is open to the public.
The Sembrich rests along Lake George’s pristine shoreline among the natural beauty of the Adirondack forests. With over four acres to discover, you can learn about the Adirondack Mountains and the “Queen of America’s Lakes” as you stroll along 1000 feet of shoreline paths under the towering pines.
Each summer The Sembrich presents an annual festival including live concerts, films, children’s programming, and lectures featuring world-class musicians and scholars. Events include a variety of music ranging from classical to contemporary as well as vocal and instrumental. Many performances are intimate and held in the museum and other larger events are held under our tent on the shore of the lake.
