Rosa Ponselle in NORMA at Covent Garden, London - 1929 - Rosa Ponselle born Rose Melba Ponzillo (January 22, 1897 - May 25, 1981), American soprano. The youngest of three children. Her parents were Italian immigrants. Rosa had an exceptionally mature voice at an early age and, at least in her early years, sang naturally with little, if any, vocal training. She sang in movie houses and cafes in Meriden and at church, and she soon became well-known locally for her exceptionally beautiful voice. 固opFoto