PONSELLE, Rosa: American Recordings, Vol. 1 (1923-1929) (Giovanni Martinelli/ Rosa Ponselle/ Rosario Bourdon/ Studio Orchestra/ Ward Marston) (Naxos Historical: 8.111138)

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Described by Maria Callas as 'the greatest singer of us all', the American-born Rosa Ponselle is acknowledged as one of the outstanding dramatic sopranos of the twentieth century. Without any previous experience of the operatic stage, she made her Metropolitan d?®but in Verdi's 'La forza del destino' opposite Caruso in 1918. Following her enormous success, she became the Metropolitan's leading soprano, appearing in twenty-one roles throughout her career.

This first disc of Ponselle's 1923-1929 American recordings features arias from three Verdi operas, and includes a number of alternative takes unpublished on 78rpm.

'The Sunday Times' praised her voice as having \richness and purity of tone, an evenness, a technical mastery and a keenness of rhythm... she combined them with a flaming intensity that made her voice unique, the embodiment of the life force, even in quiet music" (8.110728)"