Role

:

Composer  

Country

:

United States of America

Birth

:

January 22, 1897 in Meriden, CT

Death

:

May 25, 1981 in Green Spring Valley, MD

Genre

:

Opera

 

 

Vocal

 

Rosa Ponselle was an American operatic soprano who was born on January 22, 1897, in Meriden, Connecticut. She was the youngest of three children born to Italian immigrants, and her parents were both amateur musicians. Ponselle showed an early interest in music and began singing in church choirs at a young age. Ponselle's talent was recognized early on, and she began studying voice with William Thorner, a local teacher. She made her professional debut in 1915 at the age of 18, singing the role of Leonora in Verdi's "Il Trovatore" with the Boston Opera Company. Her performance was a great success, and she was immediately recognized as a rising star in the world of opera. Over the next few years, Ponselle continued to perform with the Boston Opera Company and other regional companies, honing her craft and building her reputation as a singer. In 1918, she was invited to audition for the Metropolitan Opera in New York City, and she was offered a contract on the spot. She made her debut with the Met in November of that year, singing the role of Leonora in "Il Trovatore" once again. Ponselle quickly became one of the Met's most popular and beloved singers, known for her powerful voice, dramatic intensity, and emotional depth. She sang a wide range of roles, from the heroines of Verdi and Puccini to the more lyrical heroines of Mozart and Rossini. Some of her most famous roles included Norma in Bellini's "Norma," Aida in Verdi's "Aida," and Carmen in Bizet's "Carmen." Throughout her career, Ponselle was known for her dedication to her craft and her tireless work ethic. She was a perfectionist who demanded the best from herself and her colleagues, and she was known for her meticulous attention to detail in every aspect of her performances. She was also a generous and supportive colleague, always willing to help younger singers and share her knowledge and experience. Ponselle's career was marked by many highlights and achievements. In 1924, she sang the title role in the world premiere of Puccini's "Turandot" at the Met, a role that would become one of her signature roles. In 1926, she sang the role of Donna Anna in the Met's first complete performance of Mozart's "Don Giovanni." In 1931, she sang the role of Leonora in the Met's first complete performance of Verdi's "La Forza del Destino." Ponselle also made many recordings throughout her career, both in the studio and in live performances. Her recordings of arias from "Norma" and "Carmen" are still considered among the greatest recordings of those roles. She also recorded a number of duets and ensembles with other great singers of her time, including Enrico Caruso, Beniamino Gigli, and Lawrence Tibbett. In addition to her work as a singer, Ponselle was also a dedicated teacher and mentor. She taught at the Peabody Conservatory in Baltimore for many years, and she also gave master classes and private lessons to young singers. Many of her students went on to have successful careers in opera and other areas of music. Ponselle retired from the stage in 1937, at the age of 40. She had been suffering from vocal problems for several years, and she felt that it was time to step back and focus on other aspects of her life. She continued to teach and mentor young singers, and she also became involved in philanthropic work, supporting a number of charitable causes. Ponselle received many honors and awards throughout her career.

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