Emma Calve was born in Madrid, 1864. Emma was raised with a proper education and well schooled as a French soprano and actress.

Her first important appearance was at the Theatre Monnaie, in Brussels, 1882, where she made her debut as Marguerite in "Faust". Her first Paris debut was as Bianca in "Aben Hamet" at the Theatre Italien in 1884. Calve only met moderate success for ten years after her debuts.

During her long career Emma sang an enormous variety of parts. It is, however, as Carmen that Calve will be remembered, and the few who were present will never forget the indescribable sensation she created in New York when she made her first appearance in this role, in 1893.

Emma Calve was considered the greatest Carmen of her day and sang it at all the opera houses. She then toured the principal cities of Europe, meeting with uniform success wherever she went. She continued to sing until 1910 when she finally retired into obscurity.

Emma Calve died in 1942. She will always be remembered as the greatest Carmen and soprano of her day.