Description

ROSA PONZILLO, KNOWN AS ROSA PONSELLE (MERIDEN, CONNECTICUT, JANUARY 22, 1897 – BALTIMORE, MAY 25, 1981)

 

 

 

 

Rosa Ponselle’s real name was Rosa Ponzillo. Her parents had immigrated to North America from Naples, Italy. She initially performed with her sister, Carmela Ponselle (1892–1977), in New York cinemas and cabarets under the name “The Ponzillo Sisters.” It was during one of these performances that impresario William Thorner discovered her and secured her entry into the Metropolitan Opera. She received only very brief formal training from the pedagogue Enrico Rosati in New York.

At the Metropolitan Opera, the famous tenor Enrico Caruso became her advocate. The entirely unknown young singer made her debut as his partner on November 15, 1918, singing Leonore in Verdi’s La forza del destino. Her success was overwhelming, and Rosa Ponselle became world-famous virtually overnight. From then on, she was regarded as the true prima donna of the Metropolitan Opera, where she enjoyed magnificent triumphs until 1936.

Her greatest successes at the Met included:
1918 – Rezia in Weber’s Oberon
1919 – Rachel in Halévy’s La Juive
1920 – Elisabetta in Verdi’s Don Carlos
1922 – Margaret in Lalo’s Le Roi d’Ys
1923 – Mathilde in Rossini’s William Tell
1925 – Giulia in Spontini’s La Vestale
1927 – Norma in Bellini’s Norma
1929 – Title role in Verdi’s Luisa Miller

On March 12, 1919, she participated in the world premiere of Jacques Byrne’s opera The Legend at the Met. In 1930, she sang in the American premiere of Montemezzi’s La notte di Zoraima. Over 19 seasons with the Metropolitan Opera, she sang 22 roles in 304 performances at the New York house, plus 107 performances on the company’s annual tours.

In her final Met season (1935–36), she added Carmen to her repertoire, though her portrayal was less successful than expected. She generally made few guest appearances, except at Covent Garden (1929–31), where she sang Norma, La Traviata, the title role in La Gioconda, and Fiora in Montemezzi’s L’amore dei tre re. She also appeared in Chicago and San Francisco and enjoyed an outstanding concert career. In 1933, she sang Giulia in La Vestale at the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino.

In 1936, Rosa Ponselle married the American industrialist Carle A. Jackson and retired from the stage the following year. On March 14, 1937, she gave her final concert at the Metropolitan Opera, and on April 17, 1937, she performed her last stage role—Carmen—during the company’s tour in Cleveland. She subsequently lived at Villa Pace near Baltimore (later the Ponselle Museum).

In 1954, she recorded several discs that displayed the still remarkable beauty of her voice. That same year, she became artistic director of the Baltimore Civic Opera. She also worked as a teacher; her notable students included Beverly Sills, Sherrill Milnes, William Warfield, and James Morris. Her autobiography, Ponselle, a Singer’s Life, edited by J. A. Drake, was published in New York in 1982.

Rosa Ponselle is considered one of the greatest singers of her generation. Her voice possessed extraordinary richness and beauty of tone, combined with a sensational technique that allowed her to master even the most demanding bel canto roles with ease. She had the rare ability to infuse coloratura passages with dramatic meaning. Tullio Serafin called her voice “a miracle,” while James Huneker described it as “vocal gold—dark, rich, and ductile.”

Recordings:
She recorded for Columbia (1919–23, including four duets with her sister Carmela) and later for RCA Victor (from 1924 onward, first acoustic, later electric). Her last recordings date from 1954. Private club recordings also exist. ANNA Records issued a 1936 Metropolitan Opera performance of Carmen, and Eklipse released a 1936 Boston performance of the same opera.

 

 

TRACKLIST

 

 

Trovatore (Verdi): D’amor sull’ali rosee 49559 49559-4 Columbia, New York 1918-11-26

Good-bye (Tosti) 49560 49560-3 Columbia, New York 1918-11-26

Aida (Verdi): O patria mia 49557 49557-5 Columbia, New York 1918-12-17

Forza del destino (Verdi): La vergine degli angeli 49558 49558-6 Columbia, New York 1918-12-17

Tosca (Puccini): Vissi d’arte 49569 49569-5

Cavalleria Rusticana (Mascagni): Voi lo sapete 49570 49570-2 Columbia, New York 1919-01-04

Madama Butterfly (Puccini): Un bel dì, vedremo 7065-M 49571 Columbia, New York 1919-01-04

Keep the home fires burning (Novello) 7038-M 49585 Columbia, New York 1919-01-31

Whispering hope (Hawthorne) (w. B Maurel) 2019-M 78325-4 Columbia, New York 1919-02-28

Abide with me (Monk) (w. B Maurel) 36000-D 49686 Columbia, New York 1919-10-27/31

Vêpres Siciliennes (Verdi): Mercè, dilette amiche 68037-D 49686 Columbia, New York 1919-10-27/31

Contes d’Hoffmann (Offenbach): Barcarolle (w. C Ponselle) 78846 78846-2 Columbia, New York 1919-12-08

Comin’ thro’ the rye (trad) (w. C Ponselle) 78847 78847-3 Columbia, New York 1919-12-08

Norma (Bellini): Casta diva 7063-M 49720-4 Columbia, New York 1919-12-10

Values (Vanderpool) 78920 78920-3 Columbia, New York 1920-01-10

Aida (Verdi): O terra addio (w. Hackett) 9010-M 49734-1 Columbia, New York 1920-01-14

Gioconda (Ponchielli): Suicidio! (date?, 01-14/19) 7034-M 49735-3 Columbia, New York 1920-01-14

Forza del destino (Verdi): Pace, pace mio Dio 7033-M 49859-2 Columbia, New York 1920-06/07 (29/6 to 7/7)

Mlle Modiste (Herbert): Kiss me again (date?, 20/7 to 26/7) 7061-M 49869-2 Columbia, New York 1920-07-26

Maria, Mari (di Capua) 7035-M 49870-2 Columbia, New York 1920-07-26

Sadko (Rimsky-Korsakov): A song of India 7061-M 49920-2 Columbia, New York 1920-12-28/30

Trovatore (Verdi): Mira d’acerbe lagrime (w. Stracciari) 9010-M 49922-2 Columbia, New York 1920-12-30

Rachem (Mana-Zucca) 7025-M 49925-3 Columbia, New York 1921-01-04/26

Old folks at home (Foster) 7064-M 49934-1 Columbia, New York 1921-02-18/25

Home, sweet home (Bishop) 7064-M 49935-1 Columbia, New York 1921-02-18/25

Manon Lescaut (Puccini): In quelle trine morbide 79971 79971-2 Columbia, New York 1921-09-07

Maritana (Wallace): Scenes that are brightest 7062-M 49982-2 Columbia, New York 1921-09-09

Blue Danube waltz (J. Strauss) 7062-M 49988-4 Columbia, New York 1921-09-21/28

Little Alabama coon (Starr) 2024-M 79980-5 Columbia, New York 1922-04-13

Where my caravan has rested (Löhr) (w. C Ponselle) 2019-M 80392-3 Columbia, New York 1922-06-09

Ernani (Verdi): Ernani, involami 7063-M 98029-2 Columbia, New York 1922-06-13

Trovatore (Verdi): Tacea la notte placida 7033-M98051-1 Columbia, New York 1922-11-16

Africaine (Meyerbeer): Figlio del sol 68000-D 98059-1 Columbia, New York 1923-01-31

Bohème (Puccini): Mi chiamano Mimì 7035-M 98062-2 Columbia, New York 1923-02-10

Manon Lescaut (Puccini): In quelle trine morbide 2014-M 79971-3 Columbia, New York 1923-09-19

Lohengrin (Wagner): Elsas Traum AF1 98093-1 Columbia, New York 1923-09-21

Aida (Verdi): O patria mia 6437 C29061-2 Victor, Camden NJ 1923-12-05

Aida (Verdi): Ritorna vincitor 6437 C29063-2 Victor, Camden NJ 1923-12-05

Pagliacci (Leoncavallo) Stridono lassu 7066-M 98063-7 Columbia, New York 1924-01-01

Forza del destino (Verdi): Pace, pace, mio Dio 6440 C29060-5 Victor, Camden NJ 1924-01-23

Ernani (Verdi): Ernani, Ernani, involami 6440 C29062-4 Victor, Camden NJ 1924-01-23

Otello (Verdi): Ave Maria 6474 C29409-1 Victor, Camden NJ 1924-01-23

Otello (Verdi): Salce! Salce! 6474 C29410-1 Victor, Camden NJ 1924-01-23

Aida (Verdi): Pur ti riveggo (w. Martinelli) VB73 C29446-2 Victor, Camden NJ 1924-02-07

Aida (Verdi): Là, tra foreste vergini (w. Martinelli) VB73 C29447-2 Victor, Camden NJ 1924-02-07

Aida (Verdi): O terra, addio (w. Martinelli) ABHB3 C29450-1 Victor, Camden NJ 1924-02-08

Aida (Verdi): La fatal pietra (w. Martinelli) 1002 C29451-1 Victor, Camden NJ 1924-02-08

Lullaby (Scott) 1002 B29452-1 Victor, Camden NJ 1924-02-08

Cradle song (Brahms) (w. orch) 1002 B29453-1 Victor, Camden NJ 1924-02-08

Maria, Mari! (di Capua) 1013 B29411-4 Victor, Camden NJ 1924-04-11

Love’s sorrow (Shelley) 1057 B29875-2 Victor, Camden NJ 1924-04-11

Good-bye (Tosti) 6453 C29876-2 Victor, Camden NJ 1924-04-11

My lovely Celia (Higgins) 1057 B29877-2 Victor, Camden NJ 1924-04-11

Carmè (arr de Curtis) 1013 B29878-2 Victor, Camden NJ 1924-04-11

Serenade (Tosti) 6453 C29879-1 Victor, Camden NJ 1924-04-12

Juive (Halévy): Il va venir AF1 98096-3 Columbia, New York 1924-06-10

Gioconda (Ponchielli): Suicidio! 6496 C31709-1 Victor, New York 1925-01-14

Africaine (Meyerbeer): In grembo a me 6496 C31710-1 Victor, New York 1925-01-14

Sanctuary (The little old garden?) (Hewitt) VA67 BVE32850-2 Victor, Camden NJ 1925-06-01

Carry me back to old Virginny (Bland) 6509 CVE32856-3 Victor, Camden NJ 1925-06-02

My old Kentucky home (Foster) 6509 CVE32857-1 Victor, Camden NJ 1925-06-02

Home, sweet home (Bishop) VB74 CVE32866-2 Victor, Camden NJ 1925-06-03

A perfect day (Jacobs-Bond) 1098 BVE32867-1 Victor, Camden NJ 1925-06-03

La rosita (Dupont) VA69 BVE32851-3 Victor, Camden NJ 1925-06-04

Old folks at home (Foster) 03856 CVE32865-4 Victor, Camden NJ 1925-06-04

Beloved (Silberta) VA67 BVE32852-5 Victor, Camden NJ 1925-06-05

The rosary (Nevin) 1098 BVE32864-7 Victor, Camden NJ 1925-06-05

La spagnola (di Chiara) VA69 BVE32873-1 Victor, Camden NJ 1925-06-05

Aida (Verdi): La fatal pietra (w. Martinelli) 1744 BVE35459-3 Victor, Camden NJ 1926-05-17

Aida (Verdi): Morir, si pura e bella (w. Martinelli) 1744 BVE35460-3 Victor, Camden NJ 1926-05-17

Aida (Verdi): O terra addio, pt 1, pt 2 Martinelli, E Baker & chorus) 1745, 1745, BVE35461-1, BVE35462-2, Victor, Camden NJ 1926-05-17

Vestale (Spontini): Tu che invoco 6605 CVE35464-1 Victor, Camden NJ 1926-05-18

Vestale (Spontini): O Nume tutelar 6605 CVE35465-1 Victor, Camden NJ 1926-05-18

‘A vuchella (Tosti) 1164 BVE35466-2,2T1 Victor, Camden NJ 1926-05-18

Luna d’estate (Tosti) 1164 BVE35467-2,2T1 Victor, Camden NJ 1926-05-18

Elégie (Massenet) 6599 CVE35469-3 Victor, Camden NJ 1926-05-19

Ave Maria (Bach-Gounod) 6599 CVE35470-2 Victor, Camden NJ 1926-05-19

Serenade (Tosti) 6711 CVE29879-5 Victor, New York 1927-06-02

The nightingale and the rose (Rimsky-Korsakov) 1456 BVE38857-2 Victor, New York 1927-06-02

Good-bye (Tosti) 6711 CVE29876-6 Victor, New York 1927-06-13

Ave Maria (Kahn) 1456 BVE38856-6 Victor, New York 1927-06-16

Forza del destino (Verdi): Pace, pace, mio Dio 6875 CVE29060-8 Victor, New York 1928-01-17

Ernani (Verdi): Ernani, Ernani, involami 6875 CVE29062-6 Victor, New York 1928-01-17

Songs my mother taught me (Dvořák) 1319 BVE41623-1 Victor, New York 1928-01-17

Since first I met thee (Rubinstein) 1319 BVE41624-3 Victor, New York 1928-01-17

Aida (Verdi): Ritorna vincitor 7438 CVE29063-9 Victor, New York 1928-01-18

Forza del destino (Verdi): Io muojo! Confessione! (w. Martinelli & Pinza) 8104 CVE41625-2 Victor, New York 1928-01-18

Forza del destino (Verdi): Non imprecare (w. Martinelli & Pinza) 8104 CVE41626-2 Victor, New York 1928-01-18

Forza del destino (Verdi): La vergine (w. Pinza & chorus) 8097 CVE41636-1 Victor, New York 1928-01-23

Trovatore (Verdi): Miserere (w. Martinelli & chorus) 8097 CVE41637-2 Victor, New York 1928-01-23

Norma (Bellini): Ah bello a me ritorno (w. chorus) 8125 CVE49032-2 Victor, 1928-12-31

Norma (Bellini): Casta diva 8125 CVE49031-3 Victor, 1929-01-30

Norma (Bellini): Mira o Norma, pt 1, pt 2 (w. Telva) 8110, 8110, CVE49703-2, CVE49704-1 Victor, 1929-01-30

Si tu le voulais (Tosti) 2053 BS042206-5 Victor, 1939

A l’aimè (de Fontenailles) 2053 BS042207-5 Victor, 1939

When I have sung my song (Charles) VA68 BS042209 Victor, 1939

Ave Maria (Schubert) VB74 CS042212 Victor, 1939