New Issue: Opera Singers (Monaco)

Monaco's first issue of the year celebrates opera singers. This is not the first year Monaco has done this - in fact, this is part of a series that goes way back to 2020. Below are the stamps from last year.

The 2025 set featuring Lina Cavalieri and Lucien Muratore

The WOPA website very helpfully gives some information on the two operate singers shown on this year's stamps: Jean-François "Francisque" Delmas (1861–1933) was a renowned French bass-baritone. Trained at the Paris Conservatory, he made his debut at the Paris Opera in 1886 in Meyerbeer's Les Huguenots. He remained closely associated with this stage, participating in the creation of some forty contemporary operas and performing prestigious Wagnerian roles. At the Monte Carlo Opera in 1912, he premiered Massenet's tragic opera Roma. His powerful voice and wide range distinguished him as a performer who mastered both the bass and bass-baritone parts. Lucienne Bréval (1869-1935), born Bertha Agnès Lisette Schilling, was a Swiss soprano who became a naturalized French citizen, renowned for her vocal power, splendid timbre, and dramatic acting. Born in Männedorf, near Zurich, she studied at the Paris Conservatory before making her debut at the Paris Opera in 1892 in Weber's Euryanthe. A performer of a wide repertoire, she particularly shone in Wagnerian roles and in operas by Gounod, Massenet, and Reyer. She participated in several world premieres, including Fauré's Pénélope in 1913 at the Monte-Carlo Opera. She retired in 1921 to dedicate herself to teaching singing in Lausanne. Design Quality - The design is definitely in the same style of the other stamps in the series. The engraved portrait style is a classic one that we often see on stamps from Monaco and France. I think it is a high-quality design but it is of course very traditional. 6/10

Theme and Subject Choice - I don't know much about opera, but I have discovered that opera is very important in Monaco. The Opéra de Monte-Carlo is world famous and has hosted over 45 premieres of operas! So it is fair to say that opera means a lot to the country. I think that is was an excellent choice to have a long-running series celebrating opera singers who have performed there. 10/10

Historical and Cultural Relevance - Opera has a very strong cultural relevance in Monaco and is part of its history. However, the stamps show legendary singers who have visited Monaco but don't necessarily have a strong connection with the country otherwise.  7/10

Innovation and Creativity - The design is a classic one and the stamps are made to look like so many of the historic Monaco issues. As I said, this is a high-quality design but not one that gets me excited. There's nothing very innovative about them. I would say they're "not very rock and roll" but that much is obvious! 3/10

Collectability - Great if you're into opera, or collect Monaco stamps. Otherwise, I'd say these are quite interesting but unlikely to appeal to too many people. 6/10

Personal appeal - I don't find these very exciting. They are well-produced stamps that honour both the singers and the long history of opera in Monaco, but I'm not overawed by them. 5/10  Overall score - 37/60