The BBC Theatre Orchestra
Leader, Tate Gilder
Conductor, Stanford Robinson in a popular programme of Italian Opera with Rosetta Pampanini (soprano)
Some years ago Toscanini had occasion to visit a provincial opera house in Italy. Here he heard a little-known singer, the quality of whose voice so fascinated him that he gave her that most cherished prize of all prima donnas, an invitation to sing at the Scala, Milan.
Here for several seasons Rosetta
Pampanini—who, by the way, is affectionately called ' our Rosetta' by the Italian people-was prima donna. She sang there in a great number of famous operas, very often having Gigli as her partner. Her success at the Scala was for her a gateway to the world, and she undertook a series of engagements in the principal opera houses of Europe, including Great Britain.
Although she is gifted with a remarkable voice, Rosetta Pampanini ascribes her fame equally to hard work at her art. When singing at Covent Garden she has always practised under the direction of her old teacher, Gaetano Loria. She is possessor of many valuable decorations and gifts from monarchs and other heads of State. She is one of only two women who hold the medal for Arts and Letters presented by the King of Sweden.