Why do you listen to opera to say that you don't like Ponselle....then consider yourself not understanding a single thing in opera, those who marked her as "don't like" and don't even dare to touch her records, go listen to your contemporary pop singers in opera!
A voice teacher I knew heard Ponselle at the old Met live and I remember her telling me that when Rosa began this aria with the Pace it began so big and then it was as if she dropped the note right in your lap as she descended in pitch. We mustn't forget the terrible conditons those singers had to record with and still produce such beautiful notes. She would be physicaly moved towards and away from the recording mike as she was recording the equipment was so primitive.
Ponselle is No. 1 in my book - I also think its a shame we don't have recordings of Adelina Patti at the height of her career - I have a CD of her complete recordings, made in her 60s and even then her technique was flawless although the voice was shaky.
If some listeners say that they are stunned by Ponselle's performance but not moved - could that have to do with the fact that this is an early studio recording? They tend to sound a little artificial.
I've heard other recordings of her voice that were much more lively - though this is perfectly phrased and sung.
I dont know about Rosa Ponselle. I have some 5 Lps out of her acoustic time, and I still dont know. The same thing as het live performances of Carmen and Traviata. I think she is a little bit superficial. I dont discover deep emotions. She is always a little bit cold. Has always a distance.... Never hits my heart. My english is to poor to dicribe my feelings. But you must understand...I am no fan of this american soprano. My favourites are Zeani and Olivero.
I always felt a difference in being impressed and being charmed by a singer: sometimes both. Ponselle belongs to the category "impressed" and less "charmed". (just like Schwarzkopf, who you ought to like, but I never could.)
Both to me are Muzio, Destinn, Boninsegna e.g. Nice to exchange our opinions here.
Flon Fon - I love it! I too harbour these secret guilt trips -- singers I have the greatest respect for and who I know are marvellous but never have been able to make me swoon! And opera should make one swoon!!! Ponselle does have qualities that amaze me though I must say - no wonder Callas loved her.
I was so naive. When I was new to this world of opera, I have to admit I didn't care for her, but listening to her again with the increased knowledge I have now...I'm just stunned. This is perfect. The passion...and NOT at the sacrifice of the voice! She's incredible.
Absolutely - among the TOP FIVE - Serafin said that Ponselle, Caruso and Ruffo were the three miracles he had encountered in his career - I would have to add Pavarotti and Marian Anderson to that list but Ponselle definitely belongs here.
A wonderful example of how a lyric soprano could sing this very spinto-dramatic role IF and only IF she has a technique like Ponselle or like Gabriella Tucci (of the 1960s).
Beautiful diminuendi, legato, interpretation. The last high note seems sung with insufficient vibrato, but this sound may be caused by the old recording technology.
Ponselle is on of the greats. Unfortunately, I never heard her live (Obviously! I wasn't born anything CLOSE to when she was performing) and I haven't heard her complete live recordings (Of which only 3 exist that I am aware of..maybe a bit more..). So I can't comment on much of this great soprano. What she was left behind, though, speaks for itself. I hear much more from her in those few minutes, golden minutes, than in complete perfromances I hear form todays bland excuse for performers.
No matter how many times I hear this remarkable talent, I never cease to be enthralled at her power, control, and emotional impact. Just to hear her opening line in Norma's first recit before the Casta Diva is to hear authority, command and regality not matched by any other singer (Callas runs her a close second). One of the top singers of at least the twentieth century.
But IMO Callas could neber begin to enter into the same
orbit as Ponselle as a singer pure and simply. Callas had intensity
and married men who coul help her. IMO 50% of Callas fame was PR.
Some of the reviews on Youtube say something like Maria etc while hardly
speaking about her singing per se. One idiot faniac cursed me because I called a wobble a wobble. For this faniac wobbles were artistic virtues when Maria
@65attila About Callas, it was mostly PR, due to her involvement with the rich and famous. Who knows how great Jackie Onassis might have become in the eyes of the public if she had ventured into opera.
@65attila Correct. I think in a contest between Jackie O and Maria C, Jackie O wins. Why? Maria C is still Maria C, not Maria O. :)
I had not heard of Hina Spani until you mentioned her. I listened to some of the recordings of her on youtube. Many singers I can see are good, but there is something I don't like. Renee Fleming is an example. I want to like her, but she never does it for me. As for Hina Spani - she is just damn fine, and I love her singing - more than I do Callas. :)
@65attila I did! I think Spani is a lot better than some chosen here. Thank you John. Anyway, it is down to marketing - and personal preference. i quite like Erna Berger, as you can see. However, given her background, she will not make it here.
Erna Berger occupies a place in my collection. I have -2- complete
recordings of her Gilda - one from 1944 and the other @ 1951. She was a wonderful Gilda and I have a CD of hers and other performances on various LPs and CDs.
I listened to the 1944 performance today and Berger was the star IMO.
@65attila I disagree that Callas was PR. She did, indeed have vocal problems, but as an interpreter of music she was outstanding. I've also had some trouble talking with the "Callas crazies" Some of her fans act as if they've been personally insulted if you dare to acknowledge that she had any flaws at all. But, yes I do believe she was in the same orbit as Ponselle as an interpreter and as an actress. They are both unique and special talents.
@100Singers ... I would say, "Ernani Involami", or "Casta Diva".. her Wagner's "Traüme" from the Villa Pace recordings in 1954 is the best I ever heard.
She is GREAT! Her voice is so full-blooded, voluminous, dark and rich, and her musicality is highly artistic! She truly has her own deserved place among the legends of operatic history!
You might as well start with the greatest singer of all time in your series of the Greatest Singers. Rosa Ponselle stands alone in the pantheon of singers.
The perfect messa di voce on the first word, "Pace," sets Ponselle's performance of this aria apart from all other recordings. But, of course, there was so much more to this voice that has been described as deep, dark, rich, luscious, sensual, passionate. And the technique was excellent as well; so was the phrasing. Surely one of the very best dramatic sopranos on record.
Ponselle final Bflat on maledizione is not good, the note doesn't vibrate well and it is white.
Tebaldi's Pace mio Dio in infinitely more perfect than Ponselle's.Tebaldi has perfect messa di voce and more beautiful voice than Ponselle and Tebaldi nails a huge, loud and perfect Bflat at the end alwayas , in any of her many Pace mio Dio (and Tebaldi sings full body top ppp in invan la pace and full body top in fff final glorious Bflat)
You're probably right about the ending and the tricky "invan la pace" phrase. I'm talking mainly about the opening phrase of the aria, not necessarily the whole performance. (BTW, I think Caballe does a splendid job in this aria as well.) But the body of recordings that Ponselle has left us do seem to confirm (to me at least) her superiority as a dramatic soprano assoluta. IMO, only Flagstad, in a very different repertoire, matches Ponselle's many outstanding features as a dramatic soprano.
I knew Ponselle the last several years of her life. I thought you might enjoy a little story about Ponselle and Flagstad. They were good friends and of course colleagues. For fun once Ponselle and Flagstad tested each others voices with equipment supplied by RCA . Ponselle had the bigger voice. It was substantally larger tha Flagstads.
Hard to believe Ponselle's voice was that much bigger than Flagstad's, and I suppose therefore bigger than Farrell's, Jones', and Nilsson's as well. But I'll take your word for it, especially since I've heard about the huge volume she was capable of. However, I'm sure you're aware that the mere size of a voice doesn't make a singer great despite the excitement generated in certain roles. Singers like Galli-Curci, Sayao, Pons, Schipa, McCormack, etc. had small voices but were great singers.
I completely agree. Ponselle did not simply have a hauge voice, but itbwas what she did with the voice.Her voice is the perect example of a seamless scale.She could darken the voice, lighten it , and produce so many wonderful colors in her voice. There were no limitations on her . She was a Force Of Nature. Ponselle's singing was flawless.
Probably you have a better case if you limit your critique to Italian dramatic sopranos on record. It is hard to compare the quality and beauty of Ponselle's voice to that of Flagstad's: they are both superlative but in different roles. Also, it is difficult to compare her to coloratura sopranos such as Patti, Melba, and Galli-Curci: again, different repertoire. But for Italian dramatic roles, I agree that Ponselle's voice is hard to match (perhaps Rethberg, Muzio, Destinn, Tebaldi come close).
I do agree with your choice! Ponselle sounds more "modern" then many singers of our time. So please go on with your project. I can't wait to see who comes next.
Beautiful!!
SueanneOH 1 month ago
meravigliosa GRazie mille.)
sttar1982 4 months ago
GLORIOUS!!!
ian1856 8 months ago
This is Ave Maria Schubert .......
SignorinaBlackBerry 9 months ago
@SignorinaBlackBerry Why? Just because it is accompanied with arpeggi?
bramoditrionfar 8 months ago
Why do you listen to opera to say that you don't like Ponselle....then consider yourself not understanding a single thing in opera, those who marked her as "don't like" and don't even dare to touch her records, go listen to your contemporary pop singers in opera!
rubyedelman 10 months ago
Seamless legato! The Queen of Opera!
Paddy818 10 months ago
Tear-jerkingly splendid.
The99Gambo 11 months ago
A voice teacher I knew heard Ponselle at the old Met live and I remember her telling me that when Rosa began this aria with the Pace it began so big and then it was as if she dropped the note right in your lap as she descended in pitch. We mustn't forget the terrible conditons those singers had to record with and still produce such beautiful notes. She would be physicaly moved towards and away from the recording mike as she was recording the equipment was so primitive.
Complicata1000 1 year ago
BRAVA!!!!!!
Sweet Jesus what singing!!!!!!!!
percymartinez 1 year ago
One of the true immortals. I get chills when listening to her voice and interpretation.
65attila 1 year ago
Awesome! Were any ever really better. TY.
paulostroff99 1 year ago
una textura y una expresividad exquisita, bravo
nicolaations 1 year ago
Even if you make a 5 Best Voices she must be there. Bravo !!!!
Bacogomez 1 year ago
Ponselle is No. 1 in my book - I also think its a shame we don't have recordings of Adelina Patti at the height of her career - I have a CD of her complete recordings, made in her 60s and even then her technique was flawless although the voice was shaky.
Chutson353 1 year ago
Out of this world!
basenjidiva 1 year ago
If some listeners say that they are stunned by Ponselle's performance but not moved - could that have to do with the fact that this is an early studio recording? They tend to sound a little artificial.
I've heard other recordings of her voice that were much more lively - though this is perfectly phrased and sung.
vully70 2 years ago
I dont know about Rosa Ponselle. I have some 5 Lps out of her acoustic time, and I still dont know. The same thing as het live performances of Carmen and Traviata. I think she is a little bit superficial. I dont discover deep emotions. She is always a little bit cold. Has always a distance.... Never hits my heart. My english is to poor to dicribe my feelings. But you must understand...I am no fan of this american soprano. My favourites are Zeani and Olivero.
qklq42 2 years ago
I always felt a difference in being impressed and being charmed by a singer: sometimes both. Ponselle belongs to the category "impressed" and less "charmed". (just like Schwarzkopf, who you ought to like, but I never could.)
Both to me are Muzio, Destinn, Boninsegna e.g. Nice to exchange our opinions here.
flon5flon 2 years ago
Flon Fon - I love it! I too harbour these secret guilt trips -- singers I have the greatest respect for and who I know are marvellous but never have been able to make me swoon! And opera should make one swoon!!! Ponselle does have qualities that amaze me though I must say - no wonder Callas loved her.
NotNellie 2 years ago
I was so naive. When I was new to this world of opera, I have to admit I didn't care for her, but listening to her again with the increased knowledge I have now...I'm just stunned. This is perfect. The passion...and NOT at the sacrifice of the voice! She's incredible.
Iareto 2 years ago
Where's Amelita Galli-Curci???? This can't be the100 greatest singers without her!!!! -- PS: Ponselle sounds fabulous.
OlgaSofia86 2 years ago
Amelita Galli-Curci is in the list! Please have a look at "Al Singers in the List". You´ll find the link in the sidebar! Mike
100Singers 2 years ago
@OlgaSofia86 she's on the list....
songbirdbd 7 months ago
Absolutely - among the TOP FIVE - Serafin said that Ponselle, Caruso and Ruffo were the three miracles he had encountered in his career - I would have to add Pavarotti and Marian Anderson to that list but Ponselle definitely belongs here.
Chutson353 2 years ago
Sublime, insuperabile,immortale ! Grazie !
bodiloto 2 years ago
Stunning always!
dks880 2 years ago
A wonderful example of how a lyric soprano could sing this very spinto-dramatic role IF and only IF she has a technique like Ponselle or like Gabriella Tucci (of the 1960s).
Beautiful diminuendi, legato, interpretation. The last high note seems sung with insufficient vibrato, but this sound may be caused by the old recording technology.
minnie888444 2 years ago
Ponselle is on of the greats. Unfortunately, I never heard her live (Obviously! I wasn't born anything CLOSE to when she was performing) and I haven't heard her complete live recordings (Of which only 3 exist that I am aware of..maybe a bit more..). So I can't comment on much of this great soprano. What she was left behind, though, speaks for itself. I hear much more from her in those few minutes, golden minutes, than in complete perfromances I hear form todays bland excuse for performers.
AOG93 2 years ago
No matter how many times I hear this remarkable talent, I never cease to be enthralled at her power, control, and emotional impact. Just to hear her opening line in Norma's first recit before the Casta Diva is to hear authority, command and regality not matched by any other singer (Callas runs her a close second). One of the top singers of at least the twentieth century.
quakercub 2 years ago
@quakercub
But IMO Callas could neber begin to enter into the same
orbit as Ponselle as a singer pure and simply. Callas had intensity
and married men who coul help her. IMO 50% of Callas fame was PR.
Some of the reviews on Youtube say something like Maria etc while hardly
speaking about her singing per se. One idiot faniac cursed me because I called a wobble a wobble. For this faniac wobbles were artistic virtues when Maria
did them.
65attila 1 year ago
@65attila About Callas, it was mostly PR, due to her involvement with the rich and famous. Who knows how great Jackie Onassis might have become in the eyes of the public if she had ventured into opera.
osinging 1 year ago
@osinging
With the right PR Jackie O could have a stage career. It seems to me
that the relative obscurity of Hina Spani vis a vis Callas has nothing to do
with performance merits. IMO Spani was as compelling an artist and 10 x
a better singer than Callas. Hype is not to be ignored.
65attila 1 year ago
@65attila Correct. I think in a contest between Jackie O and Maria C, Jackie O wins. Why? Maria C is still Maria C, not Maria O. :)
I had not heard of Hina Spani until you mentioned her. I listened to some of the recordings of her on youtube. Many singers I can see are good, but there is something I don't like. Renee Fleming is an example. I want to like her, but she never does it for me. As for Hina Spani - she is just damn fine, and I love her singing - more than I do Callas. :)
osinging 1 year ago
@osinging
I am so glad you have enjoyed the singing of Spani. Preiser has a single
and 2 CD set on Preiser, I own them all.
Regards-John
65attila 1 year ago
@65attila I did! I think Spani is a lot better than some chosen here. Thank you John. Anyway, it is down to marketing - and personal preference. i quite like Erna Berger, as you can see. However, given her background, she will not make it here.
osinging 1 year ago
@osinging
Erna Berger occupies a place in my collection. I have -2- complete
recordings of her Gilda - one from 1944 and the other @ 1951. She was a wonderful Gilda and I have a CD of hers and other performances on various LPs and CDs.
I listened to the 1944 performance today and Berger was the star IMO.
Regards-John
65attila 1 year ago
@65attila I disagree that Callas was PR. She did, indeed have vocal problems, but as an interpreter of music she was outstanding. I've also had some trouble talking with the "Callas crazies" Some of her fans act as if they've been personally insulted if you dare to acknowledge that she had any flaws at all. But, yes I do believe she was in the same orbit as Ponselle as an interpreter and as an actress. They are both unique and special talents.
quakercub 1 year ago
Awesome! There were none better. Brava! TY.
paulostroff99 2 years ago
wish you would of used a better song to showcase her amazing voice
vincenz55 2 years ago
For example?
100Singers 2 years ago
carmen
vincenz55 2 years ago
carmen? nonsense. Pace is so well chosen.
velazquez2009 2 years ago
@100Singers ... I would say, "Ernani Involami", or "Casta Diva".. her Wagner's "Traüme" from the Villa Pace recordings in 1954 is the best I ever heard.
loboestepario24 1 year ago
While listening to this recording, you keep on waiting for a mistake to be committed, but it doesn't happen... This performance is just flawless.
manyhernandez16 2 years ago
I agree wholeheartedly! She is the queen of opera.
victormurray1 2 years ago
Awesome! The greatest of them all. Brava! TY.
paulostroff99 2 years ago
She is GREAT! Her voice is so full-blooded, voluminous, dark and rich, and her musicality is highly artistic! She truly has her own deserved place among the legends of operatic history!
corellithebest 2 years ago
I fully agree. Ponselle is one of the best of any time, if not the best.jfsanin
jfsanin 3 years ago 2
Expressive and draws you in. That's all I have to say.
brown8899 3 years ago 5
thanks!
maldoror26 3 years ago
You might as well start with the greatest singer of all time in your series of the Greatest Singers. Rosa Ponselle stands alone in the pantheon of singers.
Giovannifabuloso 3 years ago
Ponselle was regarded by all her peers as number one. Callas said :She is the of us all.
UBIQUITOUS12 3 years ago 2
It should have read "She is the queen of us all,"
UBIQUITOUS12 3 years ago
The perfect messa di voce on the first word, "Pace," sets Ponselle's performance of this aria apart from all other recordings. But, of course, there was so much more to this voice that has been described as deep, dark, rich, luscious, sensual, passionate. And the technique was excellent as well; so was the phrasing. Surely one of the very best dramatic sopranos on record.
meltzerboy 3 years ago
Ponselle final Bflat on maledizione is not good, the note doesn't vibrate well and it is white.
Tebaldi's Pace mio Dio in infinitely more perfect than Ponselle's.Tebaldi has perfect messa di voce and more beautiful voice than Ponselle and Tebaldi nails a huge, loud and perfect Bflat at the end alwayas , in any of her many Pace mio Dio (and Tebaldi sings full body top ppp in invan la pace and full body top in fff final glorious Bflat)
paternostro63 3 years ago
You're probably right about the ending and the tricky "invan la pace" phrase. I'm talking mainly about the opening phrase of the aria, not necessarily the whole performance. (BTW, I think Caballe does a splendid job in this aria as well.) But the body of recordings that Ponselle has left us do seem to confirm (to me at least) her superiority as a dramatic soprano assoluta. IMO, only Flagstad, in a very different repertoire, matches Ponselle's many outstanding features as a dramatic soprano.
meltzerboy 3 years ago
I knew Ponselle the last several years of her life. I thought you might enjoy a little story about Ponselle and Flagstad. They were good friends and of course colleagues. For fun once Ponselle and Flagstad tested each others voices with equipment supplied by RCA . Ponselle had the bigger voice. It was substantally larger tha Flagstads.
Giovannifabuloso 3 years ago
Hard to believe Ponselle's voice was that much bigger than Flagstad's, and I suppose therefore bigger than Farrell's, Jones', and Nilsson's as well. But I'll take your word for it, especially since I've heard about the huge volume she was capable of. However, I'm sure you're aware that the mere size of a voice doesn't make a singer great despite the excitement generated in certain roles. Singers like Galli-Curci, Sayao, Pons, Schipa, McCormack, etc. had small voices but were great singers.
meltzerboy 3 years ago 2
I completely agree. Ponselle did not simply have a hauge voice, but itbwas what she did with the voice.Her voice is the perect example of a seamless scale.She could darken the voice, lighten it , and produce so many wonderful colors in her voice. There were no limitations on her . She was a Force Of Nature. Ponselle's singing was flawless.
Giovannifabuloso 3 years ago 9
Perhaps, but "Casta Diva" shows her at her ultimate.
ikmarchini 3 years ago
I think it was her favorite? Or at least, I remember her saying in an interview she thought it the most beautiful of operatic melodies
vocalpianist 3 years ago
The most wonderfull soprano voice of all time.
mrrk 3 years ago
Comment removed
GermanOperaSinger 3 years ago
she is also recognized as a great voice teacher! says lots about ways of learning technique. i call it trial and error technique!
wedidntknow 3 years ago
The greatest, most beautiful soprano voice of all time.
mazzone1 3 years ago
Probably you have a better case if you limit your critique to Italian dramatic sopranos on record. It is hard to compare the quality and beauty of Ponselle's voice to that of Flagstad's: they are both superlative but in different roles. Also, it is difficult to compare her to coloratura sopranos such as Patti, Melba, and Galli-Curci: again, different repertoire. But for Italian dramatic roles, I agree that Ponselle's voice is hard to match (perhaps Rethberg, Muzio, Destinn, Tebaldi come close).
meltzerboy 3 years ago
I do agree with your choice! Ponselle sounds more "modern" then many singers of our time. So please go on with your project. I can't wait to see who comes next.
magicflute3 3 years ago