Search - Bizet, Hassselmans :: Carmen

An awful performance of two great artists

Gustavo Demarco | Buenos Aires | 07/06/1999

(2 out of 5 stars)

"Rosa Ponselle was undoubtedly one of the greatest sopranos of all times. She has left a number of bright examples of her talent. Unfortunately, her complete recordings of operas are rare. For her fans (and I am one of them), this full recording of Carmen looks like a match. The other extrordinary ingredient of this production is the outstanding Ezio Pinza. In his case, we are fortunate to have an important number of full recordings of his most famous roles in opera. How could their combination produce such a poor result as this recording of Carmen is difficult to explain. It is known that Ponselle's decadence began with a disastrous Carmen, and one can understand the reason after listening to her here. On the contrary, Pinza had many bright years ahead by the time of this recording (1936), and he had time to produce superb interpretations after that. Rene Maison was an appreciated tenor in his time, specially of french operas, but none of his recordings is a clear example of special talent. To summarize, this version is only for Ponselle's and Pinza's fans who do not dare lack one single piece they recorded. Otherwise, try (don't miss) Ponselle's excerpts of Norma, Aida or Traviata, and Pinza's complete Don Giovanni, Faust, Boris and Tales of Hoffmann."

Carmen Truly Appraised

mario lebano | brooklyn, new york United States | 12/26/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I am among those few remaining people who saw Ponselle's Carmen, not once but several times,and can state, without reservations,it was a glorious experience. It was the greatest box office hit of the two seasons she sang the role and at every performance I attended her ovation was overwhelm- ing. It was controversial only as to her interpretation of the role but certainly not her singing. Who's interpretatioa of Carmen has ever been universally accepted? As for the suggestions of vocal decline one has only to listen to the recordings she made in 1939,two years after her last Met. appearances, to realize how ludicrous such a suggestion is. We also have the series of recordings she made at Villa Pace at the age of 57 as evidence that,even many years after retirement, her voice retained most of it's glory. experiencing vocal difficulties should listen to the recordings she mq'P"

A Unique Carmen

mario lebano | brooklyn, new york United States | 05/13/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I read with amazement the review critical of Ponselle and Pinza in the Carmen CD.The only conclusion I could draw from the writers remarks is that he never bothered to listen to the recording.He speaks of decadence and terrible performance in describing an unmatched vocal splendor and great histrionic and emotional display.After ending her Met.carrier Ponselle made recordings in 1939 and as late as 1954 with the unique glory of her voice intact. Vocal decadence indeed!!! My advice to all lovers of great singing is Run,Don't Walk, to purchase this Carmen. Treat yourself to a lasting thrill."