LILY PONS SINGS - THE MAD SCENE 1937 FILM

[1peterpann]

What a wonderful rendition of this most loved piece of opera I thoroughly enjoyed it and Ms Pons has become one of my top 6 favorites because her voice is that of a true Soprano Di Coloratura Ecellente e` Bravissima!!!

[lilypons13]

There is absolutely no comparison between Lily's splendid Lucia and Netrebko's adequate attempt at the role.

lilypons13

[SHICOFF1]

@ANKHSNAMMON YES ! I never knew she was in her mid 50's in that LP from 1954 with Tucker and Frank Guarrara. I always thought she was younger until she died and her age came out. She looked, when I saw and talked to her in 1974 much younger than her right age. She was quite small with fine features, still attractive .

[mariadelamor21]

Fascinante! Gracias.

[oepasero]

¡Bravo!

[prettycool997]

she has such a sweet voice and love the dress!

[DanyelHawkes]

only miss Pons would transpose the mad scene a minor third up and hold the high Gb's like they were nothing!

[SHICOFF1]

Born ALICE PONS IN 1898 AND DIED IN 1976 . I SAW HER AND TALKED TO HER AFTER A RICHARD TUCKER RECITAL SHE ATTENDED IN PALM SPRINGS CALIF. NEAR HER HOME, IT WAS ON MARCH 2 1974 AND SHE LOOKED EXACTLY LIKE SHE DID HERE. SHE ENJOYED TUCKER'S SINGING AND TOLD ME HE HAD GREAT CONTROL OF HIS VOICE AND BACK IN 1954 SHE RECORDED LUCIA WITH HIM ON COLUMBIA COMPLETE, RE ISSUED ON CD, AN OFF BRAND NAME.

[Ankhsnammon]

@SHICOFF1 I have the recrding,wih Guarrara as Ashton

[jameswardable]

Even those not prone to worship divas must appreciate the amazing instrument of which this game crossover celebrity was in possession. I don't think even Sumi Jo has sung this music better. I love Sutherland's recording; and the physical allure of the beautiful Anna Netrebko (a few seasons back at any rate) is unsurpassed. Dessay thrillingly acted the music as if it were an eruption from her DNA. But in the the end, I think Lil is the winner for her uncanny sound and control.

[8Goldie]

@jameswardable You forgot to mention Callas..."After World War II, a small number of technically able sopranos, the most notable of whom were first Maria Callas (with performances from 1952 and especially those at La Scala and Berlin in 1954/55 under Herbert von Karajan" :)

[jameswardable]

@8Goldie Agreed...

[ohsnapitsme59]

HOLY MACKEREL!

[GuinnBerger]

I think she was simply one of a kind. There are singers today who have mysterious abilities far beyond those of ordinary singers, even beyond most "divas.' (Cecilia Bartoli's vocal agility comes to mind.) Even they don't know HOW they hit those notes so quickly and accurately, it's just natural to them, a gift from God. How wonderful that Lily Pons' beauty and amazing voice were immortalized in sound movies so that future audiences could hear and be stricken with awe and admiration.

[baltoman24]

thank you for this wonderful post. what a splendid artist she was! And unlike so many other singers  Pons respected the gift that God gave her and never sang outside of her fach. Her performance of Estalita at age 74 is astounding! And she saved the Metropolitan Opera in the depression! She will never be forgotten!

[Imforeverone88]

Let me just say something to all you people: her voice is not of this world. That that she did there is beyond the understanding of singers today and not even the opera greats recent or past can touch what this woman had going through her body. The restraint which she shewed in matters of singing has not even begun to be a thought in the minds of "professional" singers today. I weep for the lost of this manner of singer who gift and sole purpose was to bend the tune in their mouth. Praise!

[Umbriaga]

Exquisite! Grazie Mille!

[OperaMystery80]

Saw this movie on TCM; hilarious comedy about a French singer (Lily Pons) who disguises herself as an exotic Bird Girl from the Jungle only to make a splash as an opera singer...this was a delightful movie. Lily Pons doing Hollywood movies at this time was rare - opera singers stuck to the stage and never did film. This was the 30's the first decade of talking pictures

[ervassar]

That was fun [and thrilling from time to time!]

[aidabach]

She liked to use 'suspension'.  Tossing a note high and trailing off and then coming out again.

[Imforeverone88]

@aidabach Yeah ask any singer today to try it...they'll choke and require medical attention.

[ApparoDei]

wow. Her notes are as beautiful as her. You could not find that kind of technique with opera singers nowadays.

[Imforeverone88]

BRAVOOOO! The way she hit that note before the Spargi is ridiculous WOW. The control she has is of heaven. That is incredible. She is truly of the rare and ancient Sfogato class along with Mado Robin.

[desatormentandome]

Es SUPERLATIVA, es DEFINITIVA, es MARAVILLOSA. Gracias por compartir esta joya.

[ddurbinfan]

Ardon gl'incensi... splendono le sacre faci intorno!... Ecco il ministro! Porgimi la destra.... Oh lieto giorno! Alfin son tua, sei mio! A me ti dona un dio... ogni piacer più grato mi fia con te diviso del ciel clemente un riso la vita a noi sarà! Who can spell the next words?