Description

CARMELA ANNA PONSELLE (SCHENECTADY, SCHENECTADY COUNTY, NEW YORK, USA 7 JUN 1887 – NEW YORK, NEW YORK COUNTY (MANHATTAN), NEW YORK, USA 13 JUN 1977)

She was the older sister of the famous soprano Rosa Ponselle (1897-1981). Together with her, she sang during the 1916-1917 season as the “Ponzillo Sisters” in New York’s vaudeville theaters, though she began her singing studies before her sister. After Rosa’s sensational debut in 1918, Carmela Ponselle waited until 1923 before beginning her stage career. Her stage debut took place in 1923 at the Polo Grounds in New York, where she performed as Amneris in Aida.

In 1925, she joined the Metropolitan Opera in New York, making her debut as Amneris. She remained with the Metropolitan Opera until 1934, performing roles such as Laura in La Gioconda and Santuzza in Cavalleria Rusticana. Carmela and her famous sister sang together at the Metropolitan Opera only twice: once in a duet during a Sunday Night Concert in 1925, and again on stage in 1932 in Ponchielli’s La Gioconda.

From 1924 to 1928, and again during the 1930-1935 seasons, she toured with various American opera companies. After 1934, she primarily gave concerts on American radio and taught singing in New York.

Chronology of some appearances

1925-1934 New York Metropolitan Opera

TRACKLIST

1. L’heure exquise (Hahn) A3999 81124 Columbia, New York 1923-07-11
2. Kiss me with your eyes (Spencer) 20003-D 81365 Columbia, New York 1923-11-20
3. Calm as the night (Böhm) 20009-D 81410 Columbia, New York 1923-12-11
4. June’s the time for roses (D’Lorah) 20003-D 81411 Columbia, New York 1923-12-11
5. Moonlight (Schumann) 20009-D 81420 Columbia, New York 1923-12-17
6. O sole mio (di Capua) (w. R. Ponselle) 49983, 9007-M Columbia, New York 1921-09-09
7. Xerxes (Händel) Largo A6215 49994 Columbia, New York 1921-10-10
8. Ave Maria (Gounod) A6215 49995 Columbia, New York 1921-10-10
9. Comin’ thro’ the rye (trad) (w. R. Ponselle) 78847, 36002-D Columbia, New York 1919-12-08
10. Love song (Brahms) A3369 79008 Columbia, New York 1920-03-24
11. Dream Faces (Hutchinson) A3369 79547 Columbia, New York 1920-12-02
12. Those songs my mother used to sing A3466 79921 Columbia, New York 1921-6-30
13. Thinking of you Columbia A3466 79922 Columbia, New York 1921-6-30
14. Where my Caravan has rested (Löhr) (w. R. Ponselle) 80392, 36002-D Columbia, New York 1922-06-09
15. Homing (del Riego) A3732 80451 Columbia, New York 1922-09-22
16. Robin Hood (de Koven) Oh promise me A3732 80452 Columbia, New York 1922-09-26
17. Somewhere a voice is calling (Tate) A3818 80750 Columbia, New York 1922-12-28
18. Alice, where art thou? (Asher) A3818 80751 Columbia, New York 1922-12-28
19. Plaisir d’amour (Martini) A3999 81122 Columbia, New York 1923-07-11