MarieSmith, later known as Marie “Selika” Williams, was a soprano known as the “queenof staccato” or
MarieSmith, later known as Marie “Selika” Williams, was a soprano known as the “queenof staccato” or “Madame Selika”. Born in Mississippi around 1849, Marie movedto Cincinnati with her family during childhood and soon started vocal lessons.Marie married a baritone operatic singer named Sampson Williams and most likelytook the name “Selika” from the opera “L’Africaine”. In 1878, Madame Selika becamethe first Black singer to perform at the White House, performing for PresidentRutherford B. Hayes and First Lady Lucy Webb Hayes. Five years later sheperformed for Queen Victoria in London, England. After touring and travelingand the death of her husband, Marie “Madame Selika” Williams moved to New YorkCity to teach vocal lessons in Harlem’s Martin-Smith Music School. She died in1937. To see more of Cincinnati’s history, check out our Digital Library! -- source link
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