New Britain herald., 1922-12-11
PONSELLE DELIGHTS
IMMENSE audience
Record-Breakins Crowd Thrilled
by Prima Donna

Rosa Ponselle former Meriden girl
and new primo donna dramatic So
prano OF the Metropolitan Opera Co.
scored tremendous success at Fox's
theater yesterday afternoon where she
appeared uNder the auspices Of the
New britain Musical club before
what is said to have been the largest
Il similar occasion. With every seat
taken. including many placed upon
the stage. over 500 people were turn
ed away after all available standing
room had been sold,
Paul Refer, cellst, supplemented
Miss Ponselles work with his splendid
rendition of compositions of Brnch.
lalo and PoVper. His playing of the
plaintive Song OF India" by Rimsky-
Rorsakoff, which he gave as one OF
his encofes, pleased more than any
of his other numbers. although the
| Hungarian Rhapsodie," Pepper,
gave more free rein to his fine exccu-
ton.
The accompanying at the piano Of
Miss Ponselle by Romano Romani
was always understanding to the
point of being at times anticipatory.
He was thoroughly the accompanies,
never allowing himself to become the
pianist, which is the greatest of praise.
A special encore, "Elegie," Massenet,
sung by Miss Ponsele, with cello OBJ
ligato by Mr.. Kefer gave the latter
and Mr.. Romani rare opportunity
to add their skill to that of the prima
donna and resulted In an inspiring
blend of the human voice and the
strings of the piano and cello.
The instant the first note of Verdi's
aria pace, Pace Milo Dio" came
clear, resonant, unsteady perfect
from Miss Ponselle's lips the must
clans OF her audience were won as
others had been won the moment she
appeared upon the stage, charming,
brilliant of personality. AS the aria
progressed the artists voice-control,
perfection of enunciation. depth and
possession of az remarkable f1brous
quality OF tone added to the. first i'm ;.
preston. bringing her at once into
the class Of sopranos who may be
mentioned with Adelina Patti. In
this aria the texture of Miss Pom
selle's lower tones, never esca ping the
proper boundaries of the soprano in
quality, brought admiration amount
ing to enthusiasm. But her higher
range was equally as effective re-
sutng in as perfect a soprano voice
as one may expect to hear today
Possibly Miss Ponselle was in espe-
cially good voice yesterday. If such
was not the case there can be no
surprise over the success she has
made in the metropolis.
The singers management of the
difficult runs, as in Durantos "Danza
disclosed the perfect
artistry that makes such execution
seem simple an her singing of the
solemn, sometimes pathetic "Stille
rhranen," Schumann, in contrast,
was humanity appealing. When she
turned for the first time to English,
with Tosti's Good Bye Summer" she
overcame even the GOODNESS Of q New
England audience and her dramatic
Intensity. coupled with the charm OF
Ter voice and poise brought her very
close to the hearts of her hearers.
Hiss oASCiiC STtdLtSL WOTk Was
Ter singing of the aria, "Ernani In
'olami," from 'Ernanie.e Here again
hose sustained, strong vet sweet soft
over tones were heard, and again the
brill of her heights brought enthus-
asm. The popular waltz-time theme
lppealed equally to the lover of more
popular music and. the expert. and the
more classic passages were met and
triumphantly by tie singer.
A striking and daring incident was
Hiss Ponselle's singing of Annie
.aurie" directly to those who had
'een forced to sit behind her upon the
tage owing to the demand for seats.
This brought her with her back to
he larger audience. She did not com.
'romise matters by singing one verse :
hus, but remained in that position ,
the song to the delight !,
# those stated Just in front of her
m the stage and the the thorough
of the audience "in '
ront' which, by this time, was com. /,
'letely hers If one might imagine t
'oXs theater the Metropolitan opera r
ouse, New York. and the year some. \
fherc In the early ninetics, the Incl. r
ent might be iliened to PATHS sing t
ng of THE Last Rose of Summer" ]
tut never, in the New York building. 70