Ponselle, Rosa
Ponselle, Rosa
(pŏnzĕl`), 1897–1981, American operatic soprano, b. Meriden, Conn. First appearing in vaudeville, she made her debut (1918) at the Metropolitan Opera in Verdi's La forza del destino, opposite CarusoCaruso, Enrico, 1873–1921, Italian operatic tenor, b. Naples. The natural beauty, range, and power of his voice made him one of the greatest singers in the history of opera. He studied for three years with Guglielmo Vergine and made his operatic debut in Naples in 1894.
..... Click the link for more information. . She was an outstanding member of that company until her retirement in 1937. Ponselle was noted for her powerful, expressive voice and her handling of low tones. Her fame has endured as a result of several important recordings.
Bibliography
See her memoirs (1982); biographies by J. A. Drake (1997) and by M. J. Phillips-Matz (1997).
Her sister, Carmela Ponselle, 1892–1977, mezzo-soprano, b. Schenectady, N.Y., also sang with the Metropolitan Opera company (1925–28, 1930–35), and thereafter taught.