USA 10.9.1997
The French-American coloratura
soprano Lily Pons (Alice Joséphine Pons) was born on April 12, 1898, in Draguignan, near Cannes. She died 50 years ago, on February 13, 1976, in Dallas, Texas.
Lily Pons initially studied piano at the Paris Conservatoire and won first prize at the age of 15. Encouraged by the soprano Dyna Beumer, she began her vocal studies in Paris and New York in 1925. She made her operatic debut in 1928 in Mulhouse in the title role of Léo Delibes’ opera “Lakmé,” famous for its “Bell Song.”
soprano Lily Pons (Alice Joséphine Pons) was born on April 12, 1898, in Draguignan, near Cannes. She died 50 years ago, on February 13, 1976, in Dallas, Texas.
Lily Pons initially studied piano at the Paris Conservatoire and won first prize at the age of 15. Encouraged by the soprano Dyna Beumer, she began her vocal studies in Paris and New York in 1925. She made her operatic debut in 1928 in Mulhouse in the title role of Léo Delibes’ opera “Lakmé,” famous for its “Bell Song.”
Lily Pons remained associated with the Metropolitan Opera from 1931 to 1960. During this time, she performed there almost 300 times in 10 different roles, primarily as Lucia and Lakmé, as Gilda in Verdi’s “Rigoletto,” and as Rosina in Rossini’s “The Barber of Seville.” She also appeared as a guest artist at many major opera houses, performed as a concert singer until 1973, and made numerous recordings. Since the 1950s, she had been a frequent guest on radio and television shows, where she presented popular music alongside the classical repertoire.
St. Vincent 5.11.1997
The video shows Lily Pons performing at Carnegie Hall in 1947
with the “Bell Aria” from the opera “Lakmé” by Léo Delibes.