British Contralto Carmen Hill ~ Away on a hill there runs a stream / A little winding road (1913)

Very impressive. I wonder if she recorded Ronald's "O Lovely Night"?

Melba's second recording of "O Lovely Night" is gorgeous; I wonder if Doug has that one. Sutherland also sang it very early in her career.

Eva Turner recorded it as well. It's a beautiful, Ivor Novello-Eric Coates type song, but better.

Not a contralto, more like a short soprano.

Carmen Hill discs list her as a mezzo-soprano, though the literature, little that there is, refer to her as a contralto. Thank you!

It seems Carmen Hill favors songs about hills (I couldn't resist!). But why not, if a singer has a lovely tone, polished technique, effective phrasing, clear diction, and gentleness of expression. The composer of the songs, Landon Ronald, was Melba's accompanist, and she also recorded "Away on a Hill."

Beautiful tone and great sensitivity in her singing make her a contralto of note. Once again I am struck by her lack of chest voice. I assume she had one. Perhaps she was one of the first to counter the Clara Butts of her day.