Saint-Saens / Rosa Ponselle, 1953: Amour! Viens aider ma faiblesse

Rosa Ponselle (1897-1981) sings "Amour! Viens aider ma faiblesse" from Samson et Dalila, Op. 47, by Camille Saint-Saens. This 1953 monaural recording was made from an LP entitled "Rosa Ponselle: The Informal Recordings" (Volume III), issued under the MDP label (MDP 036).
"David Hertzberg"

[@Homoclassicus]

A vocal miracle even at 55 years old! I sometimes can't even believe there was such a unique voice that is clearly a soprano but has the color of a mezzo and the lower register of a contralto. Ponselle was a phenomenon!

[@davidmuller9938]

she was a Falcon in her prime.

[@jmiller05]

The richness and control between registers is staggering.

[@elenawinellcomposer]

at age 56, 16 years after her retirement from the stage...and still the best interpretation of this aria available.

[@Tenortalker]

If only Ponselle had had the opportunity to sing this role on stage. She has such a grasp of the character , the language and the intentions. Vocally she is stunning.

[@notaire2]

Very dramatic performance! This style of singing is rarely heard nowadays. Thaks for preserving such a precious record!

[@lychobenitez50]

She was such a great singer and had such a wonderful technique that she could sing even this contralto repertoire and was always above any other interpreters! Thank you for sharing this wonder with us

[@indioparaguayo1910]

Bravíssimo, DIVA! ❤

[@TheGuidogeno]

Che registro basso!

[@nwdixieboy]

Only Jessye Norman and Maria n Anderson came close to having the power and richness in the lower register that she had. That is just phenomenal and everything else is so beautiful. And so beautifully sung

[@robaloliv]

Such an integrity and beauty in this recording. Loved it!

[@gayoperadude63]

Very exciting!

[@alfredoloyola921]

Ponselle was a case apart among Sopranos or dramatics sopranos. I think by the time she sang Carmen in 1937,she could Easily sang the role of. Dalila Too. She has that affinity for French repertoire and French Language. Dalila realities lies Very much in her sumptuous Middle and lower register. Interesting to know,what she Could had done with the role Of. Dalila.

[@mvcpastkambcstccr8563]

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@hindrifai3549]

Great!! would have loved a more seamless, less abrupt transition after "je le brave" @ 2.13- this is compared to Callas, Norman, Borodina and Obraztsova.

[@numetutelare]

Eè stata un soprano stupendo con un timbro ed un colore unico, ma trovo banale cantare a fine carriera da mezzo perché si può abbassare il registro... spesso questo porta a cantare perdendo stile e linea impeccabile...