Rosa Ponselle: Casta Diva

On this CD:

1. Norma, opera Casta Diva che ubargenti...Ah! bello, a me ritorna
Composed by Vincenzo Bellini
Performed by Rosa Ponselle

2. Norma, opera Mira, o Norma!...Si, fino all'ore
Composed by Vincenzo Bellini
Performed by Rosa Ponselle, Marion Telva

3. La Vestale, opera Tu che invoco
Composed by Gaspare Spontini
Performed by Rosa Ponselle

4. La Vestale, opera O nume tutelar
Composed by Gaspare Spontini
Performed by Rosa Ponselle

5. Ernani, opera Surta e la notte...Ernani! Ernani! Involami
Composed by Giuseppe Verdi
Performed by Rosa Ponselle

6. La forza del destino, opera Pace, pace mio Dio...Io muojo!...Non imprecare (Finale)
Composed by Giuseppe Verdi
Performed by Giovanni Martinelli, Ezio Pinza, Rosa Ponselle

7. Aida, opera Ritorna vincitor
Composed by Giuseppe Verdi
Performed by Rosa Ponselle

8. Élégie for soprano, cello and piano
Composed by Jules Massenet
Performed by Rosa Ponselle

9. Ave Maria for voice & orchestra (or piano) (after Bach)
Composed by Charles Gounod
Performed by Rosa Ponselle

10. My Old Kentucky Home, for voice & piano
Composed by Stephen Foster
Performed by Rosa Ponselle

11. Carry Me Back to Old Virginny
Composed by James A. Bland
Performed by Rosa Ponselle

12. A vucchella ("Arietta di Posilippo") for voice & piano (or orchestra)
Composed by Francesco Paolo Tosti
Performed by Rosa Ponselle

13. Luna d'estate, for voice & piano/orchestra
Composed by Francesco Paolo Tosti
Performed by Rosa Ponselle

14. La forza del destino, opera Pace, pace mio Dio
Composed by Giuseppe Verdi
Performed by Rosa Ponselle

15. Ernani, opera Ernani! Ernani! Involami
Composed by Giuseppe Verdi
Performed by Rosa Ponselle

Tracks:

La Gioconda: Suicidio
Otello: The Willow Song
Otello: Ave Maria
Aida: Qui Radames Vera!...O Patria Mia
Aida: Pur Ti Riveggo - Rosa Ponselle/Giovanni Martinelli
Ernani: Surta E La Notte...Ernani, Involami
La Vestale: Tu Che Invoco
La Vestale: O Nume Tutelar
La Forza Del Destino: Alzatevi...La Vergine Degli Angeli - Rosa Ponselle/Ezio Pinza
Norma: Sediziose Voci...Casta Diva
Norma: Mira, O Norma
Carme
Maria, Mari!
On Wings Of Dream
The Nightingale And The Rose
A Perfect Day

Customer Reviews:

Rosa Ponselle Prima Voce.......2006-03-18

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

Avatar or envoy of gods.......2006-02-14

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.

The most ravishing soprano voice. Ever........2005-08-23

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.

The richest, most beautiful voice in history!.......2004-02-10

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!

Callas was correct..........2002-11-19

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

Average customer rating:

Rosa Ponselle: Casta Diva

Manufacturer: Pearl
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Ponselle, Rosa | Divas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Ponselle Prima Voce

ASIN: B000000WQN
Release Date: 1996-05-21

Tracks:

Norma: Casta Diva che ubargenti ... Ah! bello, a me ritorna
Norma: Mira, o norma! ... si, fino all'ore
La Vestale: Tu che invoco
La Vestale: O nume tutelar
Ernani: Surta e la notte ... ernani! ernani! involami
La forza del destino: Pace, pace mio dio ... io muojo! ... non imprecare
Aida: Ritorna vincitor
Elegie
Ave maria
My Old Kentucky Home
Carry Me Back To Old Virginny
'A vucchella
Luna d'estate
La forza del destino: Pace, pace mio Dio
Ernani: Ernani! Ernai! involami

Average customer rating:

Ponselle and Caballe,the two most beautiful voices ever!

Rosa Ponselle-In Opera And Song

Manufacturer: Nimbus Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Russian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Classical | Box Sets | Stores | Music

Tracks:

La Gioconda
Otello
Otello
Aida
Aida
Ernani
La Vestale
La Vestale
La Forza Del Destino
Norma
Norma
Carme
Maria, Mari
On Wings Of Dream
The Nightingale And The Rose
A Perfect Day

Tracks:

Madam Butterfly
Tosca
La Forza Del Destino
Il Trovatore
Cavalleria Rusticana
Goodbye
Mademoiselle Modiste
Sadko
Manon Lescaut
La Juive
Lohengrin
Aida
Aida
Elegie
Ave Maria
When I Have Sung My Songs

Tracks:

Aida
Aida
Ernani
Il Trovatore
La Forza Del Destino
William Tell
L'Africana
La Boheme
Pagliacci
Maria, Mari
Serenade
'A Vucchella
Luna D'estate
Carry Me Back To Old
My Old Kentucky Home
Old Folks At Home
Si Tu Le Voulais

Customer Reviews:

Ponselle and Caballe,the two most beautiful voices ever!.......2003-05-07

I love this 3cd set from nimbus,of ponselle recordings.Firstly,the sound quality is supreme,it couldnot be bettered,with these old recordings.Rosa ponselle's voice is so gorgeous,which makes listening to this cd set,a frequent pleasure.I also think ponselle's voice is the second most beautiful voice,second only to caballe,I've ever listened to.Sometimes ponselle will hit a note so resplendent in tone,on this set,that will make me cry.To anyone thinking of buying this set you must before this gem is gone forever.viva ponselle!

Rosa Ponselle: The Columbia Acoustic Recordings

Average customer rating:

Rosa Ponselle: The Columbia Acoustic Recordings

Manufacturer: Pearl
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Waltzes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Russian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Ponselle, Rosa | Divas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000000WY3
Release Date: 1993-01-21

Tracks:

Norma: Casta Diva
Ernani: Ernani, Ernani involami
I Vespri Siciliani: Merci, dilette amiche
Il travatore: Tacea la notte placida
Il travatore: D'amour sull'ali rosee
Il travatore: Mira d'acerbe lagrime
La forza del destino: La vergine degl'angeli
La forza del destino: Pace, pace mio Dio
Aida: Ritorna vincitor
Aida: O patria mia
Aida: O terra addio
Otello: Ave Maria
Cavalleria Rusticana: Voi lo sapete
I Pagliacci: Qual fiamma avea nel guardo
Maria, Mari
O sole mio
Goodbye
Sadko: Song Of India
The Tales Of Hoffman: Barcarolle
Blue Danube Waltz

Tracks:

Guglielmo Tell: Selva opaca
La Juive: Il va venir
L'africana: In grembo a me (Figlio del sol)
Lohengrin: Einsam in trueben Tagen
La Gioconda: Suicidio!
Manon Lescaut: In quelle trine morbide
La Boheme: Si mi chiamano Mimi
TOSCA: Vissi d'arte
Madama Butterfly: Un bel di vedremo
Manon Lescaut: In quelle trine mobide
Rose Of My Heart
Where My Caravan Has Rested
Comin' Thro' The Rye
Little Alabama Coon
Old Folks at Home
Home, Sweet Home
Kiss Me Again
Keep The Home Fires Burning
Values
Rachem
Maritana: Scenes That Are Brightest

Average customer rating:

The Victor Recordings (1926-29)

Manufacturer: Romophone
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Sopranos | Voices | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Ponselle, Rosa | Divas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000001S3A
Release Date: 1995-11-22

Tracks:

Aida: Tomb Scene (Act IV Scene 2): La Fatal Pietra
Aida: Tomb Scene (Act IV Scene 2): O Terra Addio
Aida: Tomb Scene (Act IV Scene 2): La Vestale: Tu Che Invoco
Aida: Tomb Scene (Act IV Scene 2): La Vestale: O Nume Tutelar
Aida: Tomb Scene (Act IV Scene 2): La Vestale: O Nume Tutelar
Aida: Tomb Scene (Act IV Scene 2): 'A Vucchella 'Arietta Di Posillipo'
Aida: Tomb Scene (Act IV Scene 2): Luna D'estate
Aida: Tomb Scene (Act IV Scene 2): Elegie
Aida: Tomb Scene (Act IV Scene 2): Elegie
Aida: Tomb Scene (Act IV Scene 2): Ave Maria 'Meditation on J.S. Bach's Prld in C'
Aida: Tomb Scene (Act IV Scene 2): Standchen
Aida: Tomb Scene (Act IV Scene 2): Aida: Ritorna Vincitor
Aida: Tomb Scene (Act IV Scene 2): Aida: O Patria Mia
Aida: Tomb Scene (Act IV Scene 2): The Nightingale And The Rose
Aida: Tomb Scene (Act IV Scene 2): Ser
Aida: Tomb Scene (Act IV Scene 2): Good-bye
Aida: Tomb Scene (Act IV Scene 2): Ave Maria
Aida: Tomb Scene (Act IV Scene 2): Ernani: Ernani! Ernani, Involami

Tracks:

Aida: Tomb Scene (Act IV Scene 2): La Forza Del Destino: Pace, Pace, Mio Dio
Aida: Tomb Scene (Act IV Scene 2): La Forza Del Destion: Pace, Pace, Mio Dio
Aida: Tomb Scene (Act IV Scene 2): Eranani: Ernani! Ernani, Involami
Aida: Tomb Scene (Act IV Scene 2): Songs My Mother Taught Me
Aida: Tomb Scene (Act IV Scene 2): Since I First Met Thee
La Forza Destino: Final Scene (Act IV Scene 7): Io Muoio!
La Forza Destino: Final Scene (Act IV Scene 7): Non Imprecare, Umiliati
La Forza Destino: Final Scene (Act IV Scene 7): Io Muoio!
La Forza Destino: Final Scene (Act IV Scene 7): Non Imprecare, Umiliati
La Forza Destino: Final Scene (Act IV Scene 7): Adia: Ritorna Vincitor
La Forza Destino: Final Scene (Act IV Scene 7): Il Trovatore: Miserere
La Forza Destino: Final Scene (Act IV Scene 7): Il Trovatore: Miserere
La Forza Destino: Final Scene (Act IV Scene 7): La Forza Del Destino: La Vergine Degli Angeli
Norma: Casta Diva: Sediziose Voci
Norma: Casta Diva: Ah! Bello A Me Ritorna 'Cabaletta'
Norma: Casta Diva: Norma: Mira, O Norma

Amazon.com

Rosa Ponselle was one of the greatest sopranos of the century and this superb collection of recordings from her prime makes that evident. Some have long been the standards against which all others are judged--the Aida tomb scene with Giovanni Martinelli, the Norma "Casta Diva," and much else. Her famous Norma duet, "Mia, o Norma," with Marion Telvey is here, still striking sparks. Lots of Verdi--the big arias and duets from Aida, Trovatore, and Ernani, all sung in a big, stunningly beautiful voice alive to textual nuances. The arias from Spontini's La Vestale are wondrous, but so are the parlor songs, the 1920s "crossover" equivalents. Marston includes several alternate takes, and the transfers are excellent. This should be a cornerstone of any operatic collection. --Dan Davis