Rosa Ponselle collection of performances, recorded interviews, and films, 1926-1987.

Links

• View catalog record
• View finding aid

Creator

Ponselle, Rosa, 1897-1981.

Location

Rodgers and Hammerstein Archives of Recorded Sound

Extent

• 613 sound recordings + 26 film reels + 50 videocassettes.

Access Restrictions

Access to original items is restricted. Advance notification is required for use.

Scope/Contents Notes

The collection contains commercial and noncommercial soundrecordings and noncommercial films and videos collected byRosa Ponselle from 1926 to 1981, covering her career and retirement; recordings of memorial tributes to Ponselle were added to the collection from 1982 to 1987.

The noncommercial sound recordings total 371 tapes and discs, including test pressings. The bulk of these recordings were made from 1926 to 1954, and primarily contain performances by Ponselle of opera excerpts, Lieder,and American songs. Several noncommercial recordings feature mezzo-soprano Carmela Ponselle (elder sister of Rosa Ponselle).

The films are primarily silent "home movies" of family social events, including travels and sports. The known dates of these films range from 1935 to 1945. Most of thevideorecordings in the collection are copies of the films;these copies were made sometime prior to receipt of the collection by the repository.

Additional videorecordings include a 1977 television interview with Ponselle in celebration of he 80th birthday,and a "90th Birthday" memorial tribute .

Biographical/Historical Note

American soprano.

Controlled Access Terms

• Operas -- Excerpts.
• Singers -- Interviews.
• Songs (High voice) with piano.
• Sound recordings.
• Home movies and video.

Additional Creator Name

• Ponselle, Carmela, 1892-1977.