Opera Arias: Recordings From 1940-1948

On this CD:

1. L'elisir d'amore, opera Una furtiva lagrima
Composed by Gaetano Donizetti
Performed by Ferruccio Tagliavini
Conducted by Ugo Tansini

2. La Sonnambula, opera Prendi, l'anel ti dono
Composed by Vincenzo Bellini
Performed by Ferruccio Tagliavini
Conducted by Ugo Tansini

3. Mignon, opera in 3 acts Addio Mignon
Composed by Ambroise Thomas
Performed by Ferruccio Tagliavini
Conducted by Ugo Tansini

4. Rigoletto, opera Ella mi fu rapita... Parmi veder le lagrime
Composed by Giuseppe Verdi
Performed by Ferruccio Tagliavini
Conducted by Ugo Tansini

5. Falstaff, opera Dal labbro il canto
Composed by Giuseppe Verdi
Performed by Ferruccio Tagliavini
Conducted by Ugo Tansini

6. Les Pêcheurs de perles, opera in 3 acts Mi par d'udire ancora
Composed by Georges Bizet
Performed by Ferruccio Tagliavini
Conducted by Arturo Basile

7. Manon, opera Chiudo gli occhi
Composed by Jules Massenet
Performed by Ferruccio Tagliavini
Conducted by Ugo Tansini

8. Werther, opera Ah, non mi ridestar
Composed by Jules Massenet
Performed by Ferruccio Tagliavini
Conducted by Arturo Basile

9. La bohème, opera Che gelida manina
Composed by Giacomo Puccini
Performed by Ferruccio Tagliavini
Conducted by Ugo Tansini

10. Tosca, opera Recondite armonie
Composed by Giacomo Puccini
Performed by Ferruccio Tagliavini
Conducted by Ugo Tansini

11. Tosca, opera E lucean le stelle
Composed by Giacomo Puccini
Performed by Ferruccio Tagliavini
Conducted by Ugo Tansini

12. La fanciulla del West (The Girl of the Golden West), opera Ch'ella mi creda
Composed by Giacomo Puccini
Performed by Ferruccio Tagliavini
Conducted by Mario Rossi

13. L'Arlesiana, opera E' la solita storia del pastore
Composed by Francesco Cilea
Performed by Ferruccio Tagliavini
Conducted by Ugo Tansini

14. Andrea Chénier, opera Come un bel di maggio
Composed by Umberto Giordano
Performed by Ferruccio Tagliavini
Conducted by Mario Rossi

15. I quattro rusteghi, opera Lucieta xe un bel nome
Composed by Ermanno Wolf-Ferrari
Performed by Ferruccio Tagliavini
Conducted by Ugo Tansini

16. Serenata Criolla
Composed by Perez Feyre
Performed by Ferruccio Tagliavini
Conducted by Cesare Gallino

17. Werther, opera Sogno, incanto, piacer
Composed by Jules Massenet
Performed by Ferruccio Tagliavini, Pia Tassinari
Conducted by Arturo Basile

18. La bohème, opera Dunque è proprio finita
Composed by Giacomo Puccini
Performed by Maria Huder, Enzo Mascherini, Ferruccio Tagliavini, Pia Tassinari
Conducted by Ugo Tansini

19. L' amico Fritz, opera in 3 acts Suzel, buon dì
Composed by Pietro Mascagni
Performed by Magda Olivero, Ferruccio Tagliavini
Conducted by Ugo Tansini

Tracks:

Prologue-The Stage Of The Paris Opera House, 1911
Overture
The Dress Rehearsal Of Hannibal
Think Of Me
The Mirror... (Angel Of Music)
The Phantom Of The Opera
The Music Of The Night
Notes/Prima Donna
All I Ask Of You
I Gave You My Music...
Entr'acte
Masquerade
The Graveyard
Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again
Wandering Child.../Bravo Monsieur...
The Point Of No Return/Down Once More
The Phantom's Lair

Amazon.com

A few years after The Phantom of the Opera debuted in London, Harold Prince unveiled Andrew Lloyd Webber's gothic musical in Canada, in 1989. It was so good that this recording of highlights from the Canadian cast is--dare we say it?--more enjoyable than the equivalent London cast highlights album. No, it doesn't have the authenticity of London principals Sarah Brightman (for whom then-husband Lloyd Webber wrote the role of Christine) and Michael Crawford, but it doesn't have their idiosyncrasies, either, and it does have the richer voices of Colm Wilkinson and Rebecca Caine (who played Jean Valjean and older Cosette, respectively, in the 1985 London cast of Les Misérables). At 69 minutes, the Canadian album is also 10 minutes longer than the London, allowing inclusion of the prologue and dress rehearsal for Hannibal. Of course, Lloyd Webber's melodies--"Angel of Music," "The Music of the Night," "All I Ask of You," "Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again"--are scrumptious on any continent. --David Horiuchi

Album Description

1990 Polydor release featuring highlights from Andrew Lloyd Webber's epic musical by the Original Canadian Cast, including Colm Wilkinson and Rebecca Caine. Directed by Harold Prince, it features 17 tracks, including 'Think Of Me', 'Notes/ Prima Donna', 'Masquerade' and 'Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again'.

Album Details

Contains highlights from the Andrew Lloyd Webber brainchild performed in Ottawa, Vancouver, Montreal & Calgary during April, 1991 through September, 1992. Stars Colm Wilkinson & Rebecca Caine in leading roles.

Customer Reviews:

Iffy.......2007-01-22

I've only listened to clips here and online, but I personally would not buy this entire album. Why? Well, I would LOVE to have Rebecca Caine's "Think of Me" and "Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again" - she has a beautiful voice, much stronger than either Sarah Brightman or Emmy Rossum, and much better trained. But what I have heard of the Raoul annoys me. He's supposed to be the good guy, not a dork!

And Colm Wilkinson as the Phantom? Whose idea was that??? I really do not like his voice, even as Valjean in Les Miz. I highly doubt he's a strong enough singer to pull of "Music of the Night" the way Michael Crawford or Hugh Panaro (best Phantom EVER) can.

If, however, this was on iTunes, I'd jump at the chance to get Rebecca's songs!

Rebecca Caine is what made me buy this album........2006-12-04

Rebecca Caine is my favorite Christine. I think that she has one of the most amazing voices, and I loved her in the title song.

As for everything else...
Honestly, Colm Wilkinson cannot sing. His voice is just too weak for the role. Like one of the reviewers before me said, he's no Michael Crawford, not even Gerard Butler. Maybe I should hear him sing in Les Miserables to appreciate his voice.
As for Byron Nease, he's okay, but I've easily heard better.

In all, the album's okay, but there are many better recordings.

Very Nice!!!!.......2006-08-25

Although this is a specatcular Disc, I find it very hard to appreciate fully Colm Wilkinson's voice in the role of the Phantom after being so used to Michael Crawford's for that role (and being used to mr. Wilkinson's as Jean Valjean in Les Misérables). Don't get me wrong I very much like Colm wilkinson, but not so much as the phantom.
Apart from that Rebecca Caine is a stunning Christine!!!! And at times seems to me to be...dare I say.... better than (my personal favourite singer) sarah brightman, Ms. Caine's "Think Of Me" blew me away, it was very inspiring....

Overall the rest of the cast is very good as well and if you are a true "phan" this is a must have CD very much worth its price!!!!

NOT AS GOOD AS THE LONDON CAST RECORDING.......2006-07-02

Today, after Phantom of the opera became the longest running musical in history of Broadway, and being one of the most produced of Andrew Lloyd Webber's work around the world, we can only agree with the statement of "The Times" reviewer which appeared on October 10, 1986, a day after the premiere in London, who wrote: "One thing is clear: Gaston Leroux's famous story is God's gift to the musical theatre. It wraps up the legends of Faust, Svengali, and Beauty and the Beast into a grand final death rattle of the romantic agony. It turns a theatre--the Paris Opera--into a replica of the universe, from the Statue of Apollo above the city's rooftops down to the infernal regions with their furnaces and stygian lake. And, musically, not only does it unfold to an accompaniment of the operatic repertoire, but also features a protagonist who is himself a great composer."

Phantom, with its operatic and lush melodies, intensive story and grandiose staging, remains one of the best and most beloved musicals of all time.

The musical is based on the Gaston Leroux's novel of the same title. It is set in the second part of the 19th century Paris and its famous opera house. The young soprano, Christine, is discovered as a talented young opera singer in the opera house. She is noticed by an old childhood friend, Raoul, and they fall in love. However, we find out that a third person, the mysterious Phantom, hiding behind a mask, is a musical genius who had been giving Christine singing lessons and who has developed a mad passion for his young pupil. He hides in the catacombs of the opera house, lurking on the outside world. He is determined to keep Christine for himself and the story evolves from here.

Apart from this interesting plot, the audiences were swept away by Lloyd Webber's tremendous score, which probably remains his best work. It combines the beautiful love songs and sweeping operetta-like arias, with numerous orchestral leads and crescendos. You can't help but being charmed by this beautiful and haunting score. The large numbers, especially, the last one, will probably move you deeply. The most popular numbers are "The phantom of the opera", a vibrating duet between Christine and the Phantom; "All I ask of you", a lovely love duet between Christine and Raul; Phantom's mesmerizing voice will hold you till the end in "The music of the night", Christine in "Wishing you are somehow here again" will evoke sadness, and many more.

One of the main reasons for the early success of this show and this recording was its original London cast. All of the three principals: Sarah Brightman as Christine, Michael Crawford as The Phantom and Steve Barton as Raoul gave the performances of their lives. Michael Crawford's take on the role of The Phantom became stuff legends are made of, due to his amazing vocalisation and the powerful, almost hypnotic attraction in his voice and performance, exactly how the Phantom is supposed to sound.

The lyrics by Richard Stilgoe and Christopher Hampton are the weakest link here, but they manage to convey the basic story.

After the show's success in London and on Broadway, the Canadian production was mounted and it premiered in Toronto's Pantages Theatre in September 1989. This CD captures the highlights of that production. All the important musical numbers are here, however, the problem is the cast, that is, some of them. Colm Wilkinson is a great singer, his interpretation of Jean Valjean being the best example. Unfortunately, he doesn't have what it takes to play the Phantom. His interpretation lacks the depth of Michael Crawford and he struggles to stretch his voice, especially on the high notes. Overall, he sings too deep for the role, sounding as if he is still in Les Miserables. Still, he is much better than the mediocre performance Gerard Butler gave in the 2004 movie version. Rebecca Caine is a fine Christine, her soprano has no problem of getting into the character. Byron Nease, who plays Raoul, also fails to deliver, sounding too old and squeaky. The unwritten rule of the musical theatre, that the miscasting can affect the best of materials, is regrettably evident here. There is also a minor problem with the orchestrations, since some parts have a faster tempo than in the original. The aficionados will notice small lyrical changes in comparison with the original cast recording.

The CD comes with a synopsis (a rear treat in the Andrew Lloyd Webber's cast recordings), the lyrics and production photos.

This recording works best as an addition to the existing Phantom collection. For the first time listeners, I highly recommend the 2-disc 1986 London Cast Recording. Not only does it feature almost the entire musical, but also the cast is much, much better, as well as the orchestrations, which have a more classical touch.

I liked Colm Wilkinson better in Les Miz.......2006-05-12

Not to say that he doesn't do a good job in this role as well, but often times it just sounds like Jean Valjean singing the Phantom. He does have some great moments but I think the Christine is the best thing about this recording. I don't know why, but I find her voice incredibly sexy. It's easy to see why the Phantom would want to seduce her and foster her talent. Raoul's line (and vocal) delivery is a little too "Dudley Do Right" for my tastes. It sounds almost comical at times. I dunno, maybe that's what he was going for. The London Cast recording is probably still the gold standard simply because the actors have become so synonymous with the roles they played, but you should pick this one up if you want a more up-to-date version of the orchestrations and, subsequently, the libretto.

Beniamino Gigli: A Life in Words and Music

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Beniamino Gigli: A Life in Words and Music

Manufacturer: Naxos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | 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

Requiems | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

General | Instructional | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music
ASIN: B0001N9ZES
Release Date: 2004-05-18

Tracks:

'I Was Born With A Voice And Very Little Else...'
Family Background
Gigli's Stage Debut And Poverty-Stricken Start
Puccini: 'O Soave Fanciulla' From La Boheme - Maria Zamboni
Service In The Household Of Countess Spannocchi
Donizetti: 'Spirto Gentil' From La Favoria
Colonel Delfino, And Giovanno Zerri's Legal Agreement
Cannio: O Surdato 'Nnammurato
A Hospital Visit And Scholarship
Mascabni: 'Ah! Ritrovarla Nella Sua Capanna' From Lodoletta
Gigli Graduates And Makes His Debut; He Goes For The High B Flat
Puccini: 'E Lucevan Le Stelle' From Tosca
Marriage, Rome And A Tuor To Spain
Mascagni: 'Apri La Tua Finestra! From Iris
A Letter From Fred Gaisberg Of HMV
Mascagni: 'Mamma, Quel Vino E Generoso' From Cavalleria Rusticana
Gigli Conquers South America, And Recieves An Offer From The Met
Metropolitan Opera Debut In Mefistofele
BoitoL 'Giunto Sul Passo Estremo' From Mefistofele

Tracks:

The Critics' Verdict, And More Performances
Donizetti: 'Tombe Degl'avi Miei' From Lacuia Di Lammermoor
Gigli's Fate Becomes Entwined With Caruso's
Giordano: 'Un Di All'azzurri Spazio' From Andrea Chenier
Who Will Be Caruso's Sucessor
Verdi: 'De'miei Bollenti Spiriti' From La Travita
Life Forms A Regular Pattern, And Gigli Learns To Sing In Foreign Languages
Lalo: 'Vainement, Ma Bien Aimee' From Le Roi d'Ys
Manon At The Met
Massenet: 'O Dolce Incanto' From Manon
Catalani's Loreley
Catalani: 'Nel Verde Maggio' From Loreley
Summer In Italy, Then Back To New York And Some Physical Training
Gounod: 'Ah! Ne Furis Pas Encore!' From Romeo Et Juliette
Honorary Captain Of The NYPD
Meyerbeer: 'O Paradiso' From L'Africaine
Flourishing Finances And Professional Rivalries
Crushin Remarks; The Attraction Of Radio
Sullivan: The Lost Chord
A New Decade, And The Honour Of Playing Nemorino At The Met
Donizetti: 'Quanto E Bella' From L'elisir D'amore

Tracks:

Debuts In Paris And London, And London's Critical Reception
Flotow: 'M'Appari' (Ach! So Fromm) From Marta (Martha)
Crisis: The Death Of Gigli's Mother, And Tension At The Met
Departure From The Met
America's Loss Is Europe's Gain
Speech: Gigli In An Interview At The Savoy Hotel, London
Cherished London Reviews
Leoncavallo: 'No. Pagliaccio Non Son!' From Pagliacci
Recording Reflects The Drama
Leoncavallo: 'Suvvia, Cosi Terrible' From Pagliacci
Touring, Gigli's Working Relationships, And A New Turn Of Events
De Curtis: Non Ti Scordar Di Me
Film Popularity, Hitler And Goebbels, And The Caracalla Tradition
Puccini: 'Che Gelida Manina' From La Boheme
Voice Expert John Steane's Recommendation
Puccini: 'O Soave Fanciulla' From La Boheme
A New Recording Of Tosca
Puccini: 'Recondita Armonia' From Tosca
Patience And Hard Work Produce A Perfect Set Of Master Recordings
Puccini: 'E Lucevan Le Stelle' From Tosca
Verdi: 'Ingemisco' From The Requiem
Verdi: 'Ingemisco' From The Requiem
The Recording Of Madama Butterfly
Puccini: Closing Moments Of Act I, Madama Butterfly

Tracks:

War Keeps Gigli In Italy
Introductory Speech To Cavalleria Rusticana By Mascagni
Translation Of The Speech
Mascani: 'Mamma, Quel Vino E Generoso' From Cavalleria Rusticana
More Role Debuts, Gigli's Wartime Films, And Andrea Chenier
Giordano: 'Un Di All'azzurro Spazio' From Andrea Chenier
John Steane's Verdict
Giordano: 'Come Un Bel Di Di Maggio' From Andrea Chenier
Rome Opera House Ralies Wartime Spirits
Verdi: 'Teco Is Sto - Gran Dio' From Un Ballo In Maschera
Verdi: 'Non Sai Tu Che Se L'anima Mia' From Un Ballo In Maschera
Verdi: 'Oh, Qual Soave Brivido' From Un Ballo In Maschera
Gigli's Political Affliations
Verdi: 'Celeste Aida' From Aida
Postwar Italy: An HMV Manager's Report
Verdi: 'Pur Ti Riveggo, Mia Dolce Aida' From Aida
Covent Garden With Rina, Then A Tour Of Britain And Ireland
Speech Given By Gigli After A Concert At The Royal Albert Hall
The Final Phase - And No Thoughts Of Retirement
Di Veroli: Ritorna Amore
A Last Visit To The USA
Cottrau: Santa Lucia
Gigli's Death, His Obituaries, And His Place In The Tenor Lineage
Meyerbeer: 'O Paradiso' From L'Africaine

Rosa Ponselle: 1939 Victor & 1954 "Villa Pace" Recordings

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Revealing
Villa Pace Recordings

Rosa Ponselle: 1939 Victor & 1954 "Villa Pace" Recordings

Manufacturer: Romophone
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Etudes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Folk | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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

French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Ponselle, Rosa | Divas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Classical | Box Sets | Stores | Music
ASIN: B000001S3P
Release Date: 1996-11-08

Tracks:

Si tu voulais
A l'aime
The Nightingale and the Rose
When I Have Sung My Songs
When I Have Sung My Songs
Ave Maria
On Wings Of Dreams
Ave Maria
Plaisir d'amour
Jeune fillette
Beau soir
Bonjour, Suzon
La chevelure
Carmen-Carmela
El Mirar de la Maja
La partida
La Molinara: Nel cor piu non mi sento
Star vicino
'A Vucchella
Ideale
Marechiare
Fa la nana, bambin
Dicitencello vuje
Could I

Tracks:

Amadis: Bois espais
Rosemonde
Guitares et mandolines
From: 'Poem de l'amour et de la mer': Le temps des Lilas
Von ewiger Liebe, Op 43 No. 1
Mir traumte von einem Konigskind, Op. 4 No. 5
Erlkonig, Op. I
In questa tomba oscura
Rispetto
O del mio amato ben
Aprile
Amuri, amuri
I battitori di grano
Drink To Me Only With Thine Eyes
The Night Wind
Homing
Interview With Ruby Mercer: Introduction And Announcement Of Lully's - 'Bois epais'
Interview With Ruby Mercer: Comments On Persico's - 'Rosemonde'
Interview With Ruby Mercer: Comments On Saint-Saens's - 'Guitares et mandolines'
Interview With Ruby Mercer: Comments On Brahms's - 'Von ewiger Liebe'
Interview With Ruby Mercer: Comments On Trunk's Mir - 'traumte von einem Konigskind'
Interview With Ruby Mercer: Comments On Schubert's - 'Erlkonig'
Interview With Ruby Mercer: Comments On Beethoven's - 'In questa tomba oscura'
Interview With Ruby Mercer: Comments On Wolf-Ferrari's - 'Rispetto'
Interview With Ruby Mercer: Comments ON Donaudy's - 'O del amato ben'
Interview With Ruby Mercer: Comments On Tosti's - 'Aprile'
Interview With Ruby Mercer: Comments On Sadero's - 'Amuri, amuri'
Interview With Ruby Mercer: Comments On Sadero's - 'I battitori di grano'
Interview With Ruby Mercer: Comments On - 'Drink To Me Only With Thine Eyes'
Interview With Ruby Mercer: Comments On Farley's - 'The Night Wind'
Interview With Ruby Mercer: Comments On de Riego's - 'Homing And Concluding Remarks'

Tracks:

Le nozze di Figaro: Voi che sapete
Tre giorni son che Nina
An die Musik, Op. 88 No. 4
Der Tod und das Madchen, Op. 7 No. 3
Traume, No. 5 From ' Wesendonck Lieder'
Morgen!, Op. 27 No. 4
Nur wer die Sehnsucht kennt, Op. 6 No. 6
L'invitation au voyage
Psyche
Tristesse eternelle
From 'Seven Popular Spanish Songs': Asturiana, No. 3
From 'Seven Popular Spanish Songs': Nana, No. 5
My Lovely Celia
In The Luxembourg Gardens
Angus Dei
Ave Maria
Ave Maria
Ave Maria
Ave Maria
Se
Colombetta

Amazon.com

Legendary soprano Rosa Ponselle recalled these sessions taped by RCA in her Baltimore home as the only time she enjoyed making records. Fourteen years after her abrupt retirement from opera, her voluptuous instrument (ruby red in the '39 Victors and now tinged with purple) soars to better advantage in the amplitude of her spacious music room than within the cramped confines of the recording studio. Whether in Beethoven, Schubert, Debussy, Mozart, or Tosti songs, or chestnuts like "Drink To Me Only With Thine Eyes," the vocalism is always informed by Ponselle's musical intelligence and sense of style. Romophone brings together all the material from these home sessions, including 75 minutes of music not issued by RCA, plus a promotional interview that reveals a warm, down-to-earth persona quite different from your typical diva stereotype. Ponselle fans need no encouragement to acquire this set. --Dan Davis

Customer Reviews:

Revealing.......2004-12-28

It must be remembered when approaching these recordings that we are not hearing the Ponselle of the Met singing her great roles, we are hearing the Ponselle of retirement, and a long retirement. She seems to have left her career right at its height, and for whatever reasons. She was not idle, but was active in the world of opera in other ways (including working with many now famous singers when they were students: Sherryl Milnes, Beverly Sills just to name two). She approached her music with the vibrancy of her time, which is often at odds with how we would sing such things today (the Mozart aria for Cherubino for example). However, even though we hear a voice that has now started to show wear, not from oversinging, but rather from not being used all that often and from age, we are not listening to someone who has "lost it all." Everything that made her great is still there for us to enjoy and wish we could experience. Her range is no longer seamless as it was during her active singing career (a thing she was noted for), but her legato is a wonder to behold, as it was during her most active singing years. It is no wonder that singing teacher tell students to listen to her recordings to learn what legato is all about (and as a result, Ponselle is one of the most immitated singers in history, but at no time has anyone ever captured her sound, her quality, her depth of tone, her ring, her anything; people may try to immitate the essence of her singing by copying what they hear -- even the great Maria Callas' interpretations in La Vesta sound like haunting echos of Ponselle -- but what was the depth of her interpretations or of her voice no one has ever come close to matching). Her chest notes are raw at times, but they do not ruin the music in any way. Her top notes (which always put terror into her heart, but for the life of me, after listening to all her recordings available, I cannot figure out why -- even after reading her story of why the High C in Aida scared her so much --- her high notes were extremely secure, even a high D flat in the trovatore arias, no strain is evident at any time, not ever!), well, her top notes are at time frayed and not centered as they were. Still, once again, that is not a bother. It is evident that at times she has to "work rather noticeably" to produce her top notes, but there again, we are not offended by what we hear.

What we do experience, and mostly because we have no arias from her great roles to listen to, is the Ponselle way with a song. She just seemed to embrace a song and make it her own. Her interpretation may be enjoyable to you, you may find other singers you like better, but her interpretation is NEVER common and without validity. Each piece is truly her own stamped completely with her emotional and vocal understanding of the text and the music.

That brings me to the diction part of the recording. Her RRRRRR (rolled R, or tongue trill by some) is very pronounced and now days may be seen as tasteless. However, it was the way things were sung then, and not just in Italian (even English actors rolled their R's beyond belief at that time). Personally, the well pronouced rolled R has never bothered me whatever, and in a way, I expect to hear it when singers are singing opera. It is so played down now days, one is sometimes completely unaware an R was even said. Ponselle's diction is incredible, and I don't just say that. Each and every word is completely understandable, even in English (which is crystle clear). It seems that was a common trait back in her day, for in many recordings of that time and earlier that I have the singers are exceptionally clear with their diction (even the Met manager, former singer, Edward Johnson is so clear while singing English -- a collection of Canadian songs -- one is stunned that the poor recordings quality didn't just eat up the words). Perhaps such singers as Renee Flemming and all the other greats of today should play some Ponselle recordings and learn what diction is all about.

These recordings, though made long after her retirement, are still a great testiment as to what she was like as a singer, for they give us all the greatness that was hers. It makes people like me, who were born after she retired (though quite a while before she died, as I remember her well on live from the met broadcasts on the radio Saturday afternoons) wish we could go back in time and hear some real singing.

In addition to the music, we have some interviews with Ruby Mercer, which are a real delight to listen to. No wonder people like Sills have nothing but great memories working with Ponselle. She is truly well grounded. She knows her contribution to the world of music for exactly what it is. There is no false modesty, nor is there any "high mindedness about self." We have a very down to earth person talking about things, even why she chose some of the music she did, in a very down to earth way.

I recommend the set to anyone who loves to hear great singing, even if it would have more appeal to collectors than average people. It is well recorded, and the sound is excellent. It is a treasure to have on any record shelf.

Villa Pace Recordings.......2003-05-15

This recording is a must for anyone who loves to hear art songs sung incredibly. Aside from Rosa Ponselle's voice being arguably one of the most beatiful, distictive, incredible sounding voices (so big that it was troublesome to record), the fact that she is also one of the greatest vocal artists in the world is also evident. Although most of the songs were recoreded when her voice wasn't as capable of stunning high high C's (there wasn't any Aida aria's on this one), her musicality, ability to act with her voice, and her use of language is breath-taking. Especially nice, is her french, it's so clear and clean, yet doesn't sound constricted or bothersome. The best track is the second lower version of "When I have sung my Songs". It is truly phenomenal, and her singing of this piece is a true testament to what this woman was capable of. Also her "o del mio amato ben" some of the most dramatically genuine singing I 've heard. Buy this CD if you want to hear some real singing and one of the greatest voices of the 20th century.