Ponselle Prima Voce

Rosa Ponselle Prima Voce

These are old recordings, but great from the standpoint that it is the only way we can hear an almost faithful representation of her great voice.

It is a very fine selection of opera arias.

Albert C. Ruocchio March 17, 2006

Avatar or envoy of gods

Nasal ringing sound, like one of Caruso, Bechi but better. Frequent intrusions into men's repertoire ('Song of Indian merchant', 'In questa tomba oscura', 'Tre giorni son che Nina', 'Der Tod und das Madchen', etc).
Best singer, best voice.
Early retirement because of higher nasal impedance.
February 14, 2006

The most ravishing soprano voice. Ever.

Many would argue that this was the most beautiful soprano voice ever - or at least ever recorded. And it's a strong argument. Such richness, such depth, such warmth, such glorious freedom, such security - who else, before or since, can match them. Destinn? A bit blousy. Boninsegna? The voice changes through the passagio. Rethberg? Close, but no cigar. Tebaldi? A bit shrill by comparison. Callas? Dramatic, yes, but beautiful, I don't think so. Gheorgiu? Good by today's standards, but no contest.

No, this thick double-cream stream of tone is something to relish, to sit back and just enjoy. Try her 'Casta Diva' or 'Un bel di' to see how it feels when you approach every high note with joyous anticipation and not with the prospect of a wince (cf. Callas). The Nile aria from Aida is as near perfection as we have any right to expect this side of Opera Heaven - a wondrous piano high C. And on these discs you will also find one of my all-time favourite records - La Vergine degli Angeli from La Forza del Destino where you get, not only Ponselle's wondrous soprano at the top, but also her bass equivalent, Ezio Pinza, below. Two wonderful voices for the price of one.

The Nimbus sound, achieved by recording what actually emerges from the record into a room rather than directly off the shellac, is not to everyone's taste. But it is to mine. It allows the singer's voice to develop and bloom and sound, to my ears, very natural.
August 23, 2005

The richest, most beautiful voice in history!

More beautiful than Caballe and Sutherland combined! A voice like a gleaming red ruby, the greatest lirico spinto of the century. Her Verdi-recordings have found their equals only in Callas' insightful performances but she did not quite possess the creamy, gleaming luxury timbre that Ponselle had. Being reported as one of the biggest voice in history (On occasions she drowned out Titta Ruffo!!!!) she will dazzle you like only Callas could afterwards. She debuted as Leonora in Forza in her teens (I think she was 18) with Caruso as Don Alvaro and made operatic history. Her Gioconda was as legendary as her Giulia (Vestale), repertoire only to be sung by Callas to the same perfection. Her brilliant Aida puts most others to shame, as do both of her Leonoras. Two complete opera-recordings with her exist: La Traviata and Carmen. Get them both and be charmed by the most gorgeous voice in history! February 10, 2004

Callas was correct...

When I read that Maria Callas credited Rosa Ponselle as her vocal idol and only inspiration, the first thought I had was that if a soprano as great as Callas said this, is because it should be true. When I bought this CD I proved the affirmation was correct: you only have to hear Rosa Ponselle's voice and verify that she is one the best sopranos of the century, and why her voice was the inspiration of many Callas's roles, including Norma, La Gioconda and La vestale. The sound quality of this CD is incredible if we consider that the recordings dates from the 1920's November 18, 2002

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